NU faulted for political involvement JAKARTA (JP): A group of Nadhatul Ulama (NU) Muslim preachers called on the organization to remain faithful to their commitment to work in the educational, social and religious fields and avoid delving into practical politics. "If NU wants to return to politics then they should turn the organization into a political party as they were before in 1971," Sjukron Ma'mun said on Tuesday.

Ja'far released from detention, put under house arrest JAKARTA (JP): The commander of the Laskar Jihad Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamm'ah, Ja'far Umar Thalib, smiled as he walked out of the National Police Headquarters on Tuesday afternoon after police declared that he was under house arrest. "According to my detectives, Ja'far was very cooperative during the interrogations, and he has given us more than enough evidence for the case," National Police chief Gen. Surojo Bimantoro told reporters on Tuesday.

KONI to reduce number of SEA Games athletes JAKARTA (JP): Financial shortage has forced the National Sports Council (KONI) to reduce the number of athletes being groomed for the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Kuala Lumpur in September. "KONI decided to reduce the number of athletes from the original plan of 600 athletes to save more money," SEA Games project manager I Gusti Made Putera Astaman told reporters after an internal meeting on the Games training program on Tuesday.

Illegal logging Legal action taken against illegal loggers. Page 2 Laskar Jihad Ja'far released from detention, put under house arrest Page 3 Bagir Manan Chief Justice Bagir Manan aiming for judicial transparency. Page 5 Boxing King-maker Rahman seals deal for Beijing bout. Page 7 Rare drawings Rare drawings show Jakarta's past beauty. Page 8 Drug abuse Drug abuse making its way into the office. Page 9 Value added tax Economists warn govt over plan to increase value added tax.

Silat still exhibited in Pusan JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's traditional martial arts pencak silat will still be featured as an exhibition event at the Pusan 2002 Asian Games in South Korea, securing a second commitment from the organizing committee. Reports had said earlier that the Pusan Asian Games Organizing Committee (PAGOC) refused to stage the event due to financial shortages despite an earlier agreement that the Asian Pacific Pencak Silat Federation would pay all the expenses.

Aspac books spot in final tour JAKARTA (JP): I Nyoman Suandi Menara's throw in the last 40 seconds helped Aspac Texmaco beat Bali Jeff Citra Satria Pelita (CSP) in a Jakarta derby in the third leg of the 2001 Nuvo Kobatama national basketball league on Tuesday. Aspac strengthened its position in the top standings and booked a place in the final-four berth while CSP was still safe from the relegation zone in fifth place. The league consists of 10 teams from Java island and Medan in North Sumatra.

S'pore joins Thai military exercise SINGAPORE (AFP): Fifty-five members of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) joined their American and Thai counterparts in an annual tripartite military exercise, the ministry of defense said on Tuesday. Exercise Cobra Gold 2001, the 20th exercise in the series, started on Tuesday in Thailand and will conclude on May 29, the ministry said in a statement.

Asia's millionaires see 'dip in fortunes' HONG KONG (AFP): The rich got richer last year -- unless they lived in Asia, according to a study released here on Tuesday. The wealth of those with assets worth more than US$1 millions rose six percent to $27 trillion globally last year. However, Asia's 1.7 million rich saw their assets lose nine percent of their value to $4.9 trillion, according to the World Wealth Report 2001.

House to investigate corruption at Pertamina despite objections JAKARTA (JP): Despite strong opposition from the Golkar and Indonesian Military/National Police factions, the House of Representatives agreed on Tuesday to establish a special committee investigating alleged corruption at the state-owned oil and gas company PT Pertamina.

Experts meet on deepwater oil JAKARTA (JP): Local and foreign oil experts gathered here on Tuesday for a seminar to discuss oil and gas exploration in deepwater areas. The Indonesian Sedimentologists Forum (FOSI) organized the Second Regional Seminar on Deepwater Sedimentation of Southeast Asia, which featured world-class deepwater experts.

ASEAN concerned over U.S. position PHNOM PENH (AFP): ASEAN environment ministers meeting here on Tuesday expressed "deep concern" over the U.S. rejection of the Kyoto protocol on global warming saying there should be no compromise to fit Washington's agenda. "The ministers expressed deep concern over the U.S. government's position on the Kyoto protocol," said a joint statement by Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) environment ministers.

147 AWOL soldiers arrested in S. Sulawesi MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi (JP): A total of 147 personnel of various detachments from the Wirabuana Military Command posted in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, have been arrested by military police for being absent without leave (AWOL). All 147 were apprehended on Friday as they disembarked at Bajoe seaport in Bone, some 120 kilometers from Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi. The soldiers had apparently left their barracks without permission on May 7.

No delay in plane sales to China: Boeing SHANGHAI (Reuters): U.S. aircraft manufacturer Boeing Co said on Tuesday its plans to sell at least 30 aircraft to China have not been delayed by Sino-U.S. tensions and it expects Beijing to announce orders in May or June. "We don't believe this 30 airplane (order) is being put on hold because of the current political situation. It's very much within the timeframe which we originally anticipated," said Boeing spokeswoman Ivy Takahashi.

AGO appeals Ginandjar ruling JAKARTA (JP): The Attorney General's Office has filed an appeal with the Supreme Court against the South Jakarta District Court's ruling that the arrest of former minister of mines and energy Ginandjar Kartasamita was unlawful. Spokesman for the Attorney General's Office Mulyohardjo told reporters on Tuesday that the appeal was filed through the district court on Monday. "The detention of Ginandjar was connected with the investigation being conducted by us.

Citibank's Easypay On May 3, 2001, in this column I requested a written explanation from Citibank regarding the workings of their Easypay system. The day my letter was published I received a call from a Ms. Betty, from the Citibank Customer Service Center, who did her best to explain how the Easypay system works and promised to send me something in writing. That was two weeks ago and I have still not received anything in writing.