Bribery tarnishes image of DPR From Rakyat Merdeka The chairman of the House of Representatives' Commission V, Surya Dharma Ali of the United Development Party (PPP), has made comments that may be considered counterproductive to the efforts to uphold the law in Indonesia. Ali's comments, which were made in support of A.M. Fatwa, could be construed as legislative intervention in the work of the police in uncovering bribery in the House. Farid R.

Fate of Gunung Putri residents I'm both concerned and saddened by how the residents of Gunung Putri, living not far from the Cibinong cement plant in Bogor, have been unjustly treated since the New Order era. During the New Order era the residents had to give up the land they had inherited from their ancestors for the construction of the Jagorawi toll road. They only received Rp 25 to Rp 50 per square meter in compensation for the land.

Dump ASEAN baggage and reevaluate Aussie ties Lim Say Boon, Director, OCBC Investment Research, The Straits Times, Asia News Network, Singapore The recent angry exchanges between Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) and Australia sound like a broken record -- and reflect historical baggage that has already been overtaken by fast-moving events.

Refugees greet Idul Fitri in camps GARUT, West Java: Nearly 10,000 people displaced by the eruption of Mount Papandayan will be greeting Idul Fitri on Friday in refugee camps in Garut regency. Although Idul Fitri draws near, displaced persons remain in several camps in Cisurupan, Bayongbong and Cikajang. The volcano first erupted on Nov. 11 and has spewed mud and debris into rivers at its foot.

Banda Aceh quiet as GAM celebrates anniversary Ibnu Mat Noor and Nani Farida, The Jakarta Post, Kuala Simpang/Bireuen Banda Aceh was largely deserted on Wednesday, with most public transport off the streets, as the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) celebrated its 26th independence anniversary. The situation in the capital, home to about 370,000 people, was generally quiet, with many shops closed. Only a small number of people were seen at traditional markets and shopping centers.

Riaupulp helps farmers to transform barren land into productive areas Farmers in Riau province have transformed barren land into productive areas, based on an integrated farming system with zero waste, thanks to technical and financial assistance provided by PT Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper (Riaupulp).

Sutiyoso told to take note of people's needs Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Observers urged Governor Sutiyoso on Wednesday to start listening to the people and allow them to take an active part in running the city based upon a participatory approach.

Preemptive blunder Australian Prime Minister John Howard's remark during question time in the parliament in Canberra to the effect that his country has the right to launch a preemptive strike in a neighboring country is indeed a startling policy statement. He defended his revolutionary position by stating that the canons of international law on the principle of national sovereignty had become outdated.

RI monitors safety of citizens in E. Timor The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia has taken steps to ensure the safety of some 500 of its citizens who live in East Timor, as unrest spread through the capital city of Dili on Wednesday. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Wednesday that at least 35 Indonesians have contacted the Indonesian Interests Representative Office in Dili, asking that they be picked up and given temporary shelter there until the situation was deemed safe.

Bali to host sustainability summit JAKARTA: State Minister of the Environment Nabiel Makarim said on Wednesday the government planned to hold a national summit on sustainable development on June 5, 2003 in Bali. Nabiel said the summit would be a follow up to the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The seeds of radicalism From Koran Tempo Former president Abdurrahman Wahid said that the rise in Islamic radicalism in Indonesia was mostly due to the fact that many Muslims had an insufficient knowledge of their religion. He said there were two reasons for this radicalism. First, the majority of Indonesian Muslims are moderate. They are a group oriented toward the local culture. Second, they have a shallow understanding and consciousness of the religion.

Conservation group discovers large population of orangutans in remote Indonesian forest[ Associated Press, Jakarta The Nature Conservancy says that it has discovered a large population of endangered orangutans while surveying a remote forest in central Indonesia. Researchers said they had found more than 2,500 animals in East Kalimantan province on Borneo island.

Multa Fidrus The Jakarta Post Tangerang During the fasting month of Ramadhan, it has become tradition for Muslims to spend their time at various activities while waiting for the mosque drums to summon the breaking of the fast. Such activity is locally known as ngabuburit. Apparently, a favorite ngabuburit in Tangerang is fishing at lakes, rivers and the ocean.

(Advertorial) Sleman regency preserves batik as Javanese traditional heritage One of Indonesia's splendid masterpiece art forms that has been inherited for generations is batik. Today, not many people can produce batik, which is rich in unique and symbolic characteristics. As it is highly artistic and classical, we should be proud of its existence. Unshaken by modern technology, batik has managed to survive and continues to exist in its homeland, the island of Java.

Balinese Muslims to observe Idul Fitri modestly Emmy Fitri, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar, Bali For most Muslims, the Idul Fitri holiday is a time for people to gather together with their family, wishing each other good luck and asking forgiveness for any wrongdoings. But not this year for Balinese Muslims.

1. Market - 4x 12 Jakartans hurt by customary price increases at markets OR Complaints greet customary price increases at markets OR Customary price increases at markets met with scorn 2. Comment - 2x 25 Sutiyoso told to listen to the people OR Sutiyoso told to heed views of the people OR Sutiyoso told to take note of people's needs 3. Speak - 1x 30 'I'm too scared to talk to strangers'

Aceh activist found dead BANDA ACEH, Aceh: A number of student activists and several family members identified on Wednesday a body found under Senapit Bridge in the city, as Musliadi, coordinator of the Coalition for West Aceh Students Movement (Kagempar). Musliadi was kidnapped by unidentified men last week. Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) workers found Musliadi's body in Lembah Seulawah subdistrict, Aceh Besar district, on Tuesday and took it to Zainoel Abidin General Hospital.

Heightened security ensures safe journey for holidaymakers Bambang Nurbianto and Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesian security forces suffered a literal shock therapy two months ago, in the bomb blast on the resort island of Bali that claimed about 200 lives. As a result, perhaps, the approximately two million holidaymakers leaving the capital for their Idul Fitri celebrations are enjoying better security this year.

Ramadhan time for Jakarta Thursday Maghrib 6:00 p.m.

Bali hotels pledge not to lay off workers Muhammad Nafik, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar, Bali A feared social upheaval caused by rising unemployment may no longer be an issue in Bali as hotel managements there are vowing not to lay off their workers, despite the fact that the Oct. 12 blasts have seriously reduced hotel occupancy rates.

Where to go in Bali for Thursday, December 5, 2002 Exhibitions * Classical Balinese Painting, Museum Puri Lukisan, Jl. Raya Ubud, Gianyar (Tel. 0361 975136), until Dec. 9. * Painting Life in Harmony, works of Subroto, Museum Neka, Ubud, until Dec. 9. * Contemporary Painting, Through the Art Toward the Save and Peaceful Bali, Museum Rudana, Ubud, until Dec. 9. * Painting Emerging Worlds, Gaya Fusion of Senses, Jl. Raya Sayan, Ubud (Tel. 0361 979253), until Dec. 20.

Fire razes 40 houses at Kebon Jeruk JAKARTA: Fire destroyed about 40 houses in Kedoya Utara, Pesing, Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta, on Saturday. Firefighter from the West Jakarta fire station Suhardi suspected that the fire might have been caused by a short circuit, adding that a further investigation into the cause of the fire was still under way. Seventeen fire engines managed to extinguish the fire at 3:30 p.m., more than four hours after it had started. --Antara ;JP;MLT; ANPAj..r..

Security is not just about price, but trust as well By Satyasuryawan Contributor Jakarta Security is indeed costly. It is so expensive that many people cannot afford "to buy" it. It is not that these people do not have enough money but rather because many people display the wrong attitude to security. "Our people will not buy a security gadget until they really experience a disturbing incident," said S. Raharja, president director of PT Secom Indopratama.