Two fires in Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): Fires occurred in two areas on Saturday night but no fatalities were reported. Firefighters said the first fire occurred at about 9 p.m. in Manggarai's Sawah Lunto subdistrict in South Jakarta and the second one on Jalan Ancol Raya, North Jakarta broke out close to midnight. In Sawah Lunto three houses were reduced to ashes while an adjacent house had to be demolished to stop the spread of the fire.

Indonesia's education system 'worst' in Asia: Survey SINGAPORE (AFP): Indonesia has the worst education system in Asia, according to a new survey of foreign business executives working in 12 countries in the region. Japan, Singapore and South Korea ranked the best, and as a result they have the highest quality labor forces, the Hong Kong- based Political and Economic Risk Consultancy (PERC) said in announcing the finding on Sunday.

Legislators' performance From Bisnis Indonesia I am really sad to see the current attitudes of members of the House of Representatives who seem to be repeating the very same mistakes made by former president Abdurrahman Wahid's administration. As they tend to ignore good advice and constructive criticism, I am beginning to suspect and wonder if most of them are incapable of doing their job or are just opportunists.

West Sumatrans want spin-off be realized PADANG, West Sumatra (JP): West Sumatran prominent public figures and the provincial legislative council have urged President Megawati to pay serious attention to their demand for the spin-off of cement company PT Semen Padang from parent PT Semen Gresik.

Mahathir says militants forming Islamic states KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): A militant Islamic unit in Malaysia has formed a pact with other groups in Indonesia and the Philippines to establish Islamic states in the three Southeast Asian countries, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said. "Their objective is so ambitious -- to set up Islamic governments in Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines through force -- but it will not be that easy," the Sunday Star newspaper quoted Mahathir as saying.