Govt to step up efforts to curb money laundering Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government plans to quickly set up an independent anti- money laundering agency in a bid to remove the country from a blacklist of states accused of not cooperating in the international fight against money laundering.

Parties without financial accountability There are many bad stories about political parties, which often become problems rather than solutions. One of the absolute facts is that their function is to channel the people's aspirations during general elections. But here in Indonesia this function has become artificial. One current problem that is particularly shameful is their financial accountability.

Train fares up more than 50 percent JAKARTA: The government will increase train fares in Greater Jakarta by more than 50 percent and apply a zoning system. The director general for land transportation at the Ministry of Transportation, Iskandar Abubakar, told a news conference on Tuesday that the fare increase would be introduced in two stages, namely a 40 percent increase effective from July 1 and 11 percent in January 2003.

Labor union restrictions too tight: Minister The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Minister of Manpower and Transmigration Jacob Nuwa Wea slammed employers and law enforcers for the rampant restriction of labor unions, saying workers had the right to strike as a last resort to put pressure on management to meet their demands. The minister said that to date, he had received hundreds of complaints from labor unions about the arrest and trial of labor activists for coordinating labor strikes.

Hotel legal dispute drags on Despite pressure from the International Labor Organization for the rehiring of some dismissed workers, the Shangri-La Hotel management is insisting on awaiting the Supreme Court's decision on its appeal. "We will wait for the final court ruling," said Shangri-La senior manager Wastu Widianto on Tuesday.

More Indonesian workers to be deported NUNUKAN, East Kalimantan: Thousands of illegal Indonesian workers in the Malaysian state of Sabah are expected to enter Nunukan regency, East Kalimantan, following the repatriation of 28,000 workers to the area earlier this year. Nunukan Regent Kasmir Forets said on Monday his administration had formed a task force to handle the influx following the Malaysian government's announcement of the July 31 deadline for the Indonesian workers' deportation.

Mega backs Sutiyoso, angry with city chapters Ahmad Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Chairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) Megawati Soekarnoputri defied the wishes of her party's branches and its members by announcing on Tuesday that the party's central board supported the reelection of Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso.

Persuasive to investors The dispute between the shareholders of PT Asuransi Jiwa Manulife Indonesia (AJMI) has affected the bilateral relations between Indonesia and Canada. The problem, which stems from a legal business agreement, should be settled through the legal process in Indonesia. This means that Canada should not become emotional, and even put out negative propaganda that could hurt the investment climate in Indonesia. Meanwhile, Indonesia had better stay cool in the face of Canada.

Where to go in Surabaya, for Wednesday, June 26, 2001 Performances * Music by Jet Set group band, at Desperados Bar and Cafe, Shangri-La Hotel, Jl. May. Jend. Sungkono 120 (Tel. 031 5661550), every Monday to Saturday, 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. * Theater: Mas Tom by Teater Gandrik, Butet Kartaredjasa, Djaduk Ferianto, at Gedung Serbaguna, Bank Jatim, Jl. Basuki Rachmat 9 - 10, July 9 - 10. Open House * Britzone Week and quiz organized by British Council Surabaya, at the British Council Surabaya, Jl.

MPR considers revision of amended Constitution Berni K. Moestafa and Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Three years after the first amendment to the 1945 Constitution, the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) is now set to consider revising amendments agreed upon earlier to ensure consistency with the latest amendments.

JP/13/L00 JP/13/Conver Rupiah Rates June 25. Bank notes rates TT rates Selling Buying Selling Buying Rp Rp Rp Rp U.S.

Minister says permanent log export ban in place Indonesia has imposed a permanent ban on log exports to protect its dwindling tropical forests, Forestry Minister Muhammad Prakosa said on Tuesday. Prakosa said around 5,000 hectares (12,300 acres) of the country's lush forests had been lost to illegal logging every day for the past five years. "Starting on June 8, the export of logs and wood chips, which were previously limited, has been banned," Prakosa told reporters.

DPR, govt to evaluate autonomy JAKARTA: House Commission II and Home Minister Hari Sabarno agreed on Tuesday to hold soon a meeting specifically to evaluate the implementation since last year of regional autonomy. Chairman of the commission for home and legal affairs Agustin Teras Narang said the commission would soon arrange time for the evaluation. The minister hailed the plan, saying that a special meeting was needed to evaluate the autonomy.

IBRA to push Sinar Mas to repay debt this month Dow Jones, Jakarta Indonesia's Bank Restructuring Agency, or IBRA, said Tuesday that it would act alone to recover debt from the Sinar Mas Group while foreign creditors of the pulp & paper empire are unable to come up with a restructuring plan.

Inclusive dialog needed to end Aceh conflict The Jakarta Post, Jakarta An all-inclusive dialog was urgently needed to end the prolonged conflict in troubled Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam province, not the current military operation, human rights activists and House of Representatives legislators said.

Judges grilled over controversial Manulife ruling Novan Iman Santosa and Yogita Tahilramani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Apparently bowing to pressure from Canada, the Jakarta High Court grilled three Commercial Court judges on Tuesday in connection with suspicions that they had allegedly accepted bribes to declare PT Asuransi Jiwa Manulife Indonesia (AJMI) bankrupt. Not only that, the three judges -- Tjahyono, CH.

Australia accused of pressuring WB to keep PNG PM in power Agence France-Presse, Port Moresby Australia has been accused of pressuring the World Bank into helping it keep Sir Mekere Morauta in power as the Papua New Guinea (PNG) Prime Minister celebrates personal victory in his country's elections.

Fastest jacket makers to set record SEMARANG, Central Java: Tailors from Surabaya in East Java intend to produce a jacket in record time for a place in the Semarang- based Indonesian Museum of Records (MURI). Paulus Pangka, curator of MURI, said in Semarang on Tuesday that two designers and a seamster from Surabaya's FIT International Tailors would attempt to break the jacket-making record set by sewing a woolen jacket on Sept. 1.