More families to get rice subsidy BALIKPAPAN, East Kalimantan: Rice donations to poor families in the province will be increased from 22,000 tons in 2002 to 30,000 tons next year. Head of East Kalimantan logistic agency Syarief Abdullah said on Thursday the number of low-income people due to receive a donation would total 127,000 families. Each family would get 20 kg of rice per month, up from 11 kg in 2002.

IBRA names JP Morgan for Danamon JAKARTA: The Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) has appointed consultant firm JP Morgan as the financial advisor for the planned sale of majority stake in Bank Danamon. IBRA chairman Syafruddin Temenggung told reporters on Thursday that JP Morgan has been picked from the six contestants, both domestic and overseas, vying for the job.

We wish to express our deepest condolences on the passing of Tatjih Suwarsih (59 years of age) mother of Penti Septi Sekarasih, one of our HRD staff members, on Dec. 12, 2002 in Rawamangun, East Jakarta Burial will be at Sodong Cemetery in Rawamangun on Dec. 13, 2002 May God Almighty bless and keep her always. The management and staff of The Jakarta Post

Mahathir arrives in Japan JAPAN: Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad arrived on Thursday morning for a five-day state visit, Japan's Foreign Ministry said. The prime minister met with Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko and was to meet Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi later in the day. He was also to attend a reception hosted by Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi in the evening.

Java has a multi-faceted image, which is already quite familiar to the international community -- comprising its ageless traditions, culture and arts, to mention a few. Sleman is an area located in the northern outskirts of Yogyakarta, a city which is renowned as one of Java's oldest cultural centers. Unmistakably, the typical and unique features of the Javanese culture and tradition are dominant in Sleman regency and have developed into major attractions worthy of exploration.

JP/5/caption Antara EASY RIDING: Motorcyclists head toward Jakarta on the Indramayu highway along the northern coast of West Java. Motorcycles have become a popular alternative for those traveling to and from their hometowns for Idul Fitri, when the roads are jammed with millions of holidaymakers. kalbar 4 x 10 Businessman elected West Kalimantan governor pangga 2 x 26 KAI to sue truck driver for Rp 10 billion compensation 2 x 26 Influx of foreign sex workers sets Batam leaders in a tizzy

Businessman elected West Kalimantan governor Bambang Bider, The Jakarta Post, Pontianak Businessman Usman Djafar and running mate Laurentius Hermanus Kadir were elected governor and vice governor respectively of West Kalimantan for the 2003 to 2008 period in a tightly guarded plenary meeting at the provincial legislature (DPRD) here on Thursday. The pair received 32 of 54 votes to defeat competitors Gusti Syamsumin and Massardy Kaphat, who collected 22 votes in the second round of elections.

Govt, GAM must show commitment to peace Aboeprijadi Santoso, Contributor, Geneva "Take the guns out of the politics and let us together build a peaceful, democratic and peaceful Aceh within the framework of the Republic of Indonesia," said Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the office of Indonesia's Permanent Representative in Geneva, after the signing of the peace agreement with the rebel Free Aceh Movement (GAM) on Monday.

Rupiah Rates Dec.12 Banknote rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Rp Rp Rp Rp Australian dollar 1 5,259.57 4,693.89 5,003.53 4,949.70 Brunei dollar 1 5,315.82 4,745.62 5,057.03 5,004.25 Canadian dollar 1 6,019.92 5,373.80 5,726.86 5,666.67 Swiss franc 1 6,410.48 5,724.16 6,098.41 6,036.12 Danish krone 1 1,272.60 1,136.25 1,210.65 1,198.17 Euro 1 9,451.30 8,438.12 8,991.20 8,898.00 Poundsterling 1 14,755.84 13,173.84 14,037.50 13,891.81 Hong Kong dollar 1 1,201.08 1,072.79 1,142.61 1,131.

4 x 10 Businessman elected West Kalimantan governor pangga 2 x 26 KAI to sue truck driver for Rp 10 billion compensation 2 x 26 Influx of foreign sex workers sets Batam leaders in a tizzy

Batam Center Grand Mosque: A Rp 15 billion mosque with gorgeous architecture to create a dynamic religious atmosphere. Novotel Batam: One of Batam's star-rated international-standard hotels that is a favorite among expatriates. Global Indo-Asia school: An international school for children of expatriates residing in Batam.

DHL replies Johanes Hartono sent a letter to The Jakarta Post, a copy of which was sent to DHL for comment. In his letter, Hartono made an accusation that DHL falsely demanded duties for a shipment imported on his behalf. We would like to reply to his letter as follows: It is a fact that most goods, other than documents, attract duty upon import in almost all countries -- Indonesia is no exception.

Police name suspects of BLK attack TANGERANG: The Tangerang Police have named four people who are suspected in an attack on a job training center (BLK) of PT Adi Santa Kencana Mas, a supplier of migrant workers on Jl. Iskandar Muda in Neglasari district of Tangerang. Tangerang Police deputy chief Comr. Gde Sugianyar said on Thursday that the four suspects, identified as Satibih, 25, Saifudin, 18, Nafsin, 22 and Nuriyaman, 19, were arrested on Tuesday.

Dead woman found on the beach TANGERANG: Visitors who were enjoying their Idul Fitri holiday at Tanjung Pasir beach in Teluk Naga district of Tangerang were surprised on Wednesday afternoon by the grisly discovery of a body of an unidentified young woman. The body, with a red skirt and beige stockings, was half- covered by sand on the beach and was first reported by a visitor identified as Lucki, 27, a resident of Tangerang. Tangerang Police deputy chief Comr.

PM Goh Chok Tong to visit Indonesia Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong is scheduled to visit Indonesia on Dec. 16 and Dec. 17, his first since President Megawati Soekarnoputri came to office in July, 2001. The two heads of government are scheduled to meet at the Bogor Presidential Palace on Dec. 16.

8,000 E. Timor families opt to stay in Indonesia Yemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post, Kupang At least 8,000 East Timorese families seeking refuge in West Timor had decided to stay in Indonesia, a local military commander said Thursday. The government was now preparing a transmigration scheme and developing housing complexes for them, Kupang military chief Col. Moeswarno Moesanip said. The housing complexes are located on several islands, including Sumba, Flores, Timor and Alor.

IMF disburses loan The government should not let the high commendations of the International Monetary Fund Executive Board in its seventh review of Indonesia's policy performance last week go to its head, let alone feel complacent and relaxed with regards to its reform implementation.

(Caption for Spotlight column. Approved by client: Metro Department Store) WISHES COME TRUE AT METRO DEPARTMENT STORE: To celebrate Idul Fitri and Christmas, METRO Department Store is giving its customers the opportunity to win various prizes through its "Wishes Come True" lucky draw, which they write their desired presents on the "Wishing Ketupat" for Idul Fitri and the "Wishing Leaf" for Christmas. The first lucky draw was held on Nov.29,2002 (photo above).

S'pore, China inks pact to boost air services SINGAPORE: Singapore has signed a pact with China to boost air traffic and civil aviation ties between the two countries, the government said Thursday. The agreement was signed in Singapore between Transport Minister Yeo Cheow Tong and China's Aviation Minister Yang Yuanyuan, the transport ministry said in a statement. The two ministers also agreed to expand the air services agreement capacity between the two countries, the ministry said.

DHL refuses delivery On Nov. 21, 2002, I received a call from a counter service staff member from DHL (PT Birotika Semesta) advising me that a laptop had been delivered from the United Kingdom for me. They immediately rang me as I had been waiting for the arrival of the package from my company in the UK.

Many employees still in Idul Fitri holiday mood Thursday was the second working day after the extended Idul Fitri holiday. In some places, it was business as usual, but many parts of the city were still influenced by the holiday atmosphere, and people were reluctant to work. The Jakarta Post talked to some employees on Thursday about how they felt about going back to work after the long holiday. Sumantri, is a security officer at the Ministry of Social Affairs who has been working for a year.

No peace in Aceh without rights tribunal, activists maintain The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Banda Aceh The Indonesian Military (TNI) wants to bury the hatchet following the Aceh peace agreement but human rights activists are seeking the trial of all past human rights abusers in Aceh.