Govt's new plan on Aceh gets mixed responses JAKARTA (JP): The government's plan to take resolute action against the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) amid an ongoing negotiation process currently under way in restive Aceh, has received a mixed response from both legislators and political observers.

1. BCA (3 x 15) Govt plans to sell 51% stake in BCA, Niaga this year 2. Comment (3 x 14) New LoI hailed by economists and analysts 3. Cement (2 x 20) Govt to sell remaining Gresik stake to Cemex 4. KPC (2 x 24) Govt appoints consultant to value KPC stake

... Brunei is one step ahead of the Philippines in its determination to prevent the kingdom from becoming a haven for dirty money laundering...

State accounts receivable From Bisnis Indonesia One potential state asset that could create fresh funds is state accounts receivable resulting from bad debts at state banks. But these accounts would have to be converted into liquid assets first.

Govt plans to sell 51% stake in BCA, Niaga this year JAKARTA (JP): The government plans to sell off another 51 percent stake in the publicly listed PT Bank Central Asia (BCA) and Bank Niaga by the end of this year, pending consultation with the House of Representatives. According to the new Letter of Intent (LoI) signed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the government is committed to privatizing a majority of its shares in BCA and Bank Niaga this year.

RI, Malaysia to combine antiterrorist effort KUALA LUMPUR (JP): Indonesian and Malaysian leaders agreed here on Monday to step up efforts to prevent international terrorism spreading to both countries, officials said. Indonesian foreign minister Hassan Wirayuda said President Megawati and her Malaysian counterpart Mahathir Mohamad had agreed at their meeting to increase bilateral cooperation in dealing with terrorism.

Prison to install metal detector, X-ray scanner JAKARTA (JP): A metal detector and an X-ray scanner will be installed in Cipinang penitentiary in East Jakarta next month in an effort to make the jail more secure, an official said here on Monday. Everyone, including the penitentiary staff, will have to pass through the security devices before entering, Minister of Justice and Human Rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra said.

Where to go in Bandung: Bandung Art Event 2001 Exhibitions: Painting: Ruang Alternatif X, Galeri Adira, Jl. Kiaracondong 33 E (Phone: 022 7216758), 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., until Sept. 8. Painting, Galeri 16, Jl. Raya Cibeureum 16, until Sept. 22. Painting: Mawas Diri, by Rosid, Buddy Siswanto and Azis Suryanegara, Galeri Hidayat, Jl. Sulanjana 36 (Phone: 022 4208257), until Sept. 16. Painting: Rupi-Rupi Rupa, LennArt, Kampung Daun Culture, Cafe Gallery and Spa, Jl. Sersan Bajuri Km 4,7, until Sept.

Prambanan lures rare birds Text and photo by Bambang M. PRAMBANAN (JP): Hardly spotted in its natural habitat now, some rare gelatik (Java sparrows) have picked an unusual site, the beautiful Prambanan temple, as their last resort in search of a permanent home. Situated on the border of Central Java and Yogyakarta provinces, the birds can be spotted flying around and on top of this 1145-year-old Hindu temple.

LP3ES, a place that has produced many famous scholars By Rikza Abdullah JAKARTA (JP): Anyone attending the glamorous 30th anniversary reception of the Institute for Social and Economic Research, Education and Information (LP3ES) at the ballroom of the five- star Hilton Hotel in Jakarta on Monday evening would most probably think that the organization, well-known for its prestigious publications, is at its peak achievements. 2.

JAKARTA (JP): An independent state of East Timor is being born. On Aug. 30 2001, the second anniversary of the popular consultation that resulted in the separation of East Timor from Indonesia, the East Timorese will vote in national elections for an 88-member Constituent Assembly that will have three months to write and adopt a constitutions that will determine what type pf political system East Timor will adopt. The Fretilin will very likely dominate the government. 2.

Robbers shoot victim, make away with Rp 180 million JAKARTA (JP): While police and senior city officials were discussing plans to crack down on street crimes, an audacious robbery took place on Monday in the busy Tebet area of South Jakarta, during which a man was shot in the leg and Rp 180 million (US$21,176) stolen by the criminals. Tebet police Second Insp. Darmono said the incident took place at around 11:00 a.m.

Rupiah Rates Aug.27 Bank notes rates TT rates Buying Selling Buying Selling Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.

Susanto, Andrean set for world chess event JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Chess Association (Percasi) has picked Susanto Megaranto and Andrean Susilodinata to represent the country at the Junior World Chess Championship, which will be held in Oropesa del Mar, Spain, from Oct. 20 to Nov. 3. The number of players is three less than that of the 2000 squad, which saw the participation of Taufik Halay, Tirta Chandra and Ferry Ferdiansyah. "Taufik was looking shaky today.

Govt to sell remaining Gresik stake to Cemex JAKARTA (JP): The government announced on Monday that it planned to divest its remaining 51 percent stake in publicly listed cement producer PT Semen Gresik to the Mexican-based PT Cemex Indonesia, a move that will net the government US$520 million. State Minister of State Enterprises Laksamana Sukardi said pressure to raise revenue for the state budget required the government to push ahead with the sale of Semen Gresik.

Soedradjad: LP3ES should make constructive efforts to survive J. Soedradjad Djiwandono is a former governor of Bank Indonesia and currently a senior visiting research fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS) of Singapore. He was one of many people conveying their congratulations in a publication released on the 30th anniversary of the LP3ES research institute. The following are excerpts of his statement sent to LP3ES.

ASEAN auto sales up in first half despite economic slowdown SINGAPORE (AFP): Motor vehicle sales in the four biggest Southeast Asian markets rose 7.8 percent from a year ago to 489,676 units in the first six months of 2001, according to an industry monitor. Regional sales are expected to maintain their pace for the rest of the year despite an economic slowdown and a steady decline in Philippine sales, Automotive Resources Asia (ARA) Ltd. said in a report received here Monday.

Court refuses to defer trial JAKARTA (JP): The Central Jakarta District Court rejected a request from Hendra Rahardja's lawyers to postpone his trial until the Supreme Court made a statement on the case. Hendra, a former commissioner of Bank Harapan Sentosa (BHS), is accused of abusing Rp 2.7 trillion (US$317.65 billion) in Bank Indonesia liquidity support. The court is trying Hendra, along with Eko Edi Putranto and Sherny Konjongian, in absentia since their whereabouts are unknown.

Thai floods kill 170 people BANGKOK (Reuters): Monsoon floods in northern Thailand over the last three weeks have killed 170 people, displaced 6,661 villagers, and devastated thousands of houses and roads, the Interior Ministry said on Monday. The ministry said in a statement flooding brought by tropical storm Usagi had wreaked havoc on 35 provinces since Aug. 10. The hardest-hit area was the province of Phetchabun where 126 people drowned or were swept away by mud slides.

Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Aug 27, 2001: Shares Close Change Trading Volume -------------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 1,500 -25 152,500 Adindo Foresta 110 0 5,000 AGIS 135 0 88,000 Akbar Indo Makmur 1,275 -550 2,280,500 Alakasa 300 -20 2,000 Alfa Retailindo 950 0 36,000 Alter Abadi 90 10 15,000 Alumindo Light 650 -25 10,500 Andhi Chandra 2,025 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 210 0 0 Aneka Tambang 1,000 0 686,500 Apac Citra 350...

History museum closed temporarily JAKARTA (JP): The history museum at Taman Fatahilllah in West Jakarta will be temporarily closed for fumigation of the main hall from Aug. 28 to Aug. 31. The museum, famous for its colonial furniture collection, will be open to public again starting Sept. 1.

ASEAN auto sales up despite economic slowdown SINGAPORE (AFP): Motor vehicle sales in the four biggest Southeast Asian markets rose 7.8 percent from a year ago to 489,676 units in the first six months of 2001, according to an industry monitor. Regional sales are expected to maintain their pace for the rest of the year despite an economic slowdown and a steady decline in Philippine sales, Automotive Resources Asia (ARA) Ltd. said in a report received here Monday.