Regional hospitals urged to improve public services Rita A. Widiadana, The Jakarta Post, Kuta, Bali Minister of Health Achmad Sujudi has asked regional hospitals across the nation to improve their public services and avoid commercialism in managing their hospitals.

Ernst & Young warns of IT security threat The Jakarta Post, Jakarta British-based business consultant Ernst & Young advised Indonesian companies to implement plans to anticipate and handle computer viruses and worms, warning that such disturbances could seriously harm their businesses.

Sulawesi's mascot under threat of extinction Badri Djawara, Contributor, Palu, Central Sulawesi Environmentalists in Sulawesi are sounding the alarm for the dwindling population of Maleo, the big bird endemic to the island. They have noted that the Maleo has disappeared in 44 places where they used to be abundant. Unlike most birds, Maleo (Macrocephalon maleo) has the size of a chicken with a white breast and brownish-black feathers and cannot fly a long distance.

Seeking a fit and proper test for RI ambassadors Siswo Pramono, Phd Candidate, Australian National University, Canberra, s8851447@student.anu.edu.au The House of Representatives retains the constitutional mandate to advise the President whether a candidate is suitable to be appointed as an ambassador. But what does the House Commission I use as a yardstick to determine what is "fit and proper" in order to carry out such an important judgment?

Vietnam Airlines to buy five jets HANOI: Flag carrier Vietnam Airlines has begun negotiations to finalize a US$213 million deal to purchase five Airbus A-321 aircraft within the next few months, the airline said Monday. "We are carrying out negotiations with European aircraft manufacturer Airbus for a contract to buy five A-321s," spokesman Nguyen Chan told AFP.

UNESCO opens week-long meeting JAKARTA: Members of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) started their week-long meeting on Monday to draft its medium term strategy for the Asia Pacific region for the next six years.

'Development in the city a success? Nonsense' There are numerous problems facing Jakarta, which just celebrated its 475th anniversary. Among these problems are poor public services, a public transportation system that barely seems to work and a feeling among residents that their lives and personal property are always in danger. Despite what might seem to some as a hopeless situation, Jakartans are trying to remain optimistic that some day life in the city will improve.

Refugee presidium established KUPANG, West Nusa Tenggara: Former pro-integration leaders established on Monday the Presidium of East Timorese Refugees to accommodate support for refugees of the former province of East Timor. One of the founders, Eurico Gutteres, vowed the organization would not get involved in politics, but would merely provide humanitarian assistance for the refugees.

Winfried misses trial JAKARTA: Corruption suspect Winfried Simatupang failed to appear at a hearing of his graft trial at the Central Jakarta District Court on Monday, claiming to be sick. The panel of judges, presided over by Judge Amiruddin Zakaria, decided to adjourn the hearings for two weeks, to give Winfried time to recover.

Illegal migrant workers struggle for employment Haidir Anwar Tanjung, The Jakarta Post, Pekanbaru The prolonged economic crisis over the past five years has forced many Indonesian workers to seek employment abroad, mainly in neighboring Malaysia. Many job seekers have followed the existing legitimate procedures to find employment abroad, but others have unfortunately had to deal with the "hazardous process of recruitment".

2 X 22 48pt Bodoni Seeking a fit and proper test for RI ambassadors Siswo Pramono Graduate Program School of Social Science The Australian National University Canberra 2. Eric -- 2 x 32 48 pt Bodoni Public accountability now expected of corporations and development aid People & civil society; the safeguard for good public & corporate governance

Soccer body wants gracious losers Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) has called on teams in the semifinals of the Bank Mandiri premier league championship to display sportsmanship when defeated. Learning from the World Cup, PSSI chairman Agum Gumelar used one incident that occurred after the World Cup as a bad example for the four teams.

Illegal fees at sea From Warta Kota It is really very sad that certain members of the country's security forces impose illegal fees on the owners of small fishing vessels. Usually when a fishing vessel leaves the Muara Baru Fish Auction Port to go fishing out at sea or returns to the port with its catch, it is stopped by security officers who ask to see the documents of the vessel.

Bowling requires govt support CIREBON, West Java: The absence of proper practice facilities and a system to develop athletes has prevented Indonesia from producing world-class bowlers, a former top national bowler says.

Megawati urges efforts to develop religious pluralism Asip A. Hasani, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta President Megawati Soekarnoputri has called on the nation to maintain religious pluralism and tolerance, rather than exploiting religious differences to stoke sectarian violence.

Do TNI, police personnel deserve the franchise? J. Soedjati Djiwandono, Political Analyst, Jakarta Whether as part of further constitutional amendments or as a provision in the new electoral bill, the issue of voting rights for members of the military (TNI) and the Police is crucial for the future of Indonesian democracy. Indeed, the right to vote is normal and proper, even for members of the military and the police is right and proper in a democracy based on universal suffrage.

TNI chief pledges not to repeat mark-ups Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto vowed on Monday not to allow any mark-ups in the purchase of military hardware and promised to punish any personnel who committed corruption in the future.

E. Kalimantan targets Rp 762b for PON JAKARTA: East Kalimantan, the designated host for the 2008 National Sports, will seek to set aside a budget of Rp 762 billion for the quadrennial event, locally known as PON, according to the administration's chief executive. East Kalimantan won the right to host the games, edging out West Java and South Sulawesi, following a vote during a meeting held by the National Sports Council (KONI) earlier this year.

Where to go in Bandung: Performances * Contemporary Music, Gedung Kesenian Rumentang Siang, Jl. Baranang Siang 1, Kosambi (Tel. 022 4233562), 7 p.m., June 28. * Sundanese Traditional Drama Serawak by Sanggar Vikta, Gedung Kesenian Rumentang Siang, 8 p.m., July 6. * Dance Drama Layang Salakadomas, Taman Budaya, Jl. Bukit Dago Selatan no. 53 A (Tel. 022 2504912), 7:30 p.m., June 25. * Variety Art Show, Taman Budaya, 7:30 p.m., June 29.

RI art initiative takes prominence in Washington Carla Bianpoen, Contributor, Washington Amid confused perceptions in the arts and manipulated market orientations, the concepts of CP Foundation for a more comprehensive world art order is taking shape.

400 squatters evicted The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The North Jakarta Public Order Agency forcibly evicted on Monday morning about 400 squatters along the banks of the West Flood Canal in Teluk Gong, Penjaringan district, North Jakarta. For the 12th time during the last nine months, the agency's 200 officers, who were assisted by police and military officers, demolished and burnt down some 100 temporary houses in the area soon after they arrived at about 10 a.m.

WHO sponsors mental disorder survey in Bali DENPASAR, Bali: The World Health Organization (WHO) is providing financial assistance for a two-month survey in Bali to obtain accurate data on the extent of the incidence of mental disorders on the tourist island. The survey, to be held in July and August, will involve 800 household respondents in Denpasar, the capital of Bali, and Bangli regency, which is expected to represent the situation in the province's other regencies.

Amien Rais and the Chinese From Forum As speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly, Amien Rais, on the occasion of the fourth anniversary of the May 13 and May 14, 1998 tragedy, called on the abolition of "WNI" (citizen of the state of Indonesia), a term usually intended to refer to Indonesian citizens of Chinese origin.