Malaysians get weapons from RP to fight in RI KUALA LUMPUR (AP): Malaysian police on Friday said they have arrested two Malaysians and 13 Indonesians for allegedly trying to smuggle weapons to Islamic militants fighting Christians in Indonesia's Maluku Islands. Malaysian police chief Norian Mai said police seized two M-16 rifles, six pistols and ammunition from the 15 men, who were traveling in a boat off Sabah state on Borneo Island.

Council urges sale of ailing city firms JAKARTA (JP): City councillors suggested on Thursday that the city administration sell its companies which continue to suffer losses. Chairman of Commission B on economic affairs Syarif Zulkarnaen Ginting revealed that the administration had spent too much money on the companies and gained too little profit.

Supporting Megawati's Cabinet From Koran Tempo The new Cabinet has been set up, with the ministers comprising a variety of backgrounds, just like the diversity of our nation. Many hopes are pinned on Megawati, whose leadership is expected to last until 2004. All politicians, statesmen, technocrats, bureaucrats, the military and people from all walks of life, including university students, are called upon to create a conducive atmosphere so that all work programs of the new Cabinet can run well.

PM Goh cites achievements, calls for new economic model SINGAPORE (AFP): Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong on Friday issued a glowing review of his past decade in office but warned that the next 10 years will be tougher and require a new economic model to sustain Singapore's progress. "Our operating environment has changed. The region has become more uncertain.

Govt to sell state telecoms in September JAKARTA (JP): The government said it expected to sell a state- owned telecommunications company -- either PT Telkom or PT Indosat -- in September to raise cash to help finance the 2001 state budget deficit. State Minister for State Enterprises Laksamana Sukardi said on Thursday that the government planned to sell 10 percent to 14 percent shares in either Telkom or Indosat, both publicly listed companies.

Council: Sell city-owned firms that suffer continuous losses JAKARTA (JP): City councillors suggested on Thursday that the city administration sell its companies which continue to suffer losses. Chairman of Commission B on economic affairs Syarif Zulkarnaen Ginting revealed that the administration had spent too much money on the companies and gained too little profit.

Johan and Taufik cruise to Singapore semis JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's Johan Hadikusuma and Taufik Hidayat passed through Friday's Malaysia-dominated quarterfinals round of the US$120,000 Sunrise-Yonex Singapore Open to set up semifinals matches against two Malaysian shuttlers. Taufik passed through Malaysian Sairul Amar Ayob quite easily despite losing the second game to seal a 7-1, 1-7, 7-0, 7-0 victory. The world's no.

Photo A/B: Aceh JP/Muharram M. Nur Reuters/Beawiharta INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION: A group of school girls in Islamic outfit (above) walk past Banda Aceh Grand Mosque on their way to an open field for a ceremony to mark the 56th anniversary of Indonesia's Independence Day. Hundreds of students from various schools flocked to the Blang Padang park in the capital of the troubled province to join the flag-raising ceremony on Friday.

Reforming Indonesia Indonesia's President Megawati Soekarnoputri is exceeding expectations left and right. Last week she awarded the most important positions in her cabinet to well-respected technocrats, doling out lesser posts to her coalition partners, and the markets gave their nod of approval.

Rupiah Rates August. 16 Bank notes rates TT rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.

Megawati apologizes to Acehnese, Papuans JAKARTA (JP): In her first state of the nation address on Thursday, President Megawati Soekarnoputri apologized for past human rights abuses, promised to maintain national unity and outlined her vision, which will focus on efforts to rescue the country from its current dilemmas.

Fresh start in Jakarta The new government in Indonesia, gives hope after years of drift. President Megawati Soekarnoputri has won praise for a cabinet that favored professionalism over politics. But the massacre of at least 30 civilians in a province on Thursday was evidence of the challenges facing the new leader. The Bush administration faces a challenge, too: how to show support for this new government while encouraging respect for human rights and a subordinated role of the military.

We must do our utmost to honor the obligations contained in these commitments. Nonetheless, we would certainly be deeply grateful if friendly countries and related creditors could give us some room ...

IBRA plans to sell unrestructured loans worth Rp 8t JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) plans to sell off Rp 8 trillion (about US$919 million) in unrestructured loans via an open tender process starting this year, a source at the agency said on Thursday. He said the Rp 8 trillion would consist of small and medium loans of between Rp 5 billion to Rp 50 billion. "Details of the plan are tentative, we're still finalizing it," he told The Jakarta Post over the phone.

Kebayoran Baru, RI's first housing complex By Ida Indawati Khouw Living in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, is regarded with particular pride by many of its residents. However, during its early years of development, people were reluctant to live there. Now, though, it has now been turned into an elite housing complex. This is the 84th article in the Batavia series. JAKARTA (JP): Living in Kebayoran Baru area remains just a dream for most Jakartans.

Explosions mar Independence Day festivities in Aceh LHOKSEUMAWE, North Aceh (JP): Red-and-white flags were flying high along the streets here for Independence Day celebrations on Friday, but most shops in the town were closed and business activities at a standstill. Only a few people came to observe a tightly guarded ceremony held in the town's Hiraq square, presided over by Regent Tarmizi Akarim and attended by local dignitaries.

Peni considers alliance with Chandra Asri JAKARTA (JP): Petrochemical producer PT Petrokimia Nusantara Interindo (PT Peni) is considering creating an alliance with PT Chandra Asri to strengthen the local polyethylene industry in order to compete with international players. Peni's president Robert M.

Outlook: The opportunity is definitely there The lack of security and law enforcement is one of the many things hampering the development of e-commerce in the country. Eka N. Ginting, CEO of locally based travel portal indo.com, answers The Jakarta Post's questions on the issue. Question: How do you see the development of the country's e- commerce? Answer: Very positive.

TNT Indonesia On July 18, 2001, I sent a document with the Semarang branch, of TNT to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. TNT's reference number was GD 259316615 WW. The document was received on July 20. It was pointed out by the recipient that the envelopes inside the TNT tamper-proof bag had been ripped open and my valuables were missing. The TNT bag was intact but the envelopes containing the important documents and valuables had been opened! How could this occur unless it was an inside job!

JP/5/MEG2 In this context -- taking into account the intensive public discourse on the need to amend the 1945 Constitution and to give as wide as possible opportunity for all segments of society to contribute to its perfection -- it seems to be more beneficial for the Assembly to focus its attention on assembling terms of reference that could hopefully function as a main guideline for preparing the amendment's concept. This main framework could also be used to widen public political discourse.

Medan shooting puzzles police MEDAN, North Sumatra: Medan Police have yet to uncover clues relating to the shooting of Bekman Hutabarat, chairman of the provincial office of the Association of Indonesian Suppliers on Aug. 14. Medan Police chief Sr. Comr. Badrodin Haiti said on Thursday that police were still questioning witnesses. "The motive for the shooting is still unknown and we have yet to focus (our investigation) on specific persons or groups," Badrodin said.

Legislators, observers hail Mega's speech JAKARTA (JP): Observers and legislators showered President Megawati Soekarnoputri's state-of-the-nation address with praise on Thursday which they said shed a ray of hope for good governance. However, some cast doubts on whether Megawati's law enforcement team in the Cabinet were competent enough to help her live up to her commitment to combat corruption and abuse of human rights.

KL palm oil extends gains, eyes data KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Malaysian palm oil futures extended gains at the close on Friday on short covering, but most players remained cautious about future trends, traders said. The benchmark third-month November contract ended up 12 ringgit at 1,186 ringgit (US$312.11) a ton after trading as low as 1,149. Volume was heavy at 3,199 lots.