Pirates want ransom to cover cost of abduction: Official Agencies, Zamboanga, Philippines A group of pirates in the southern Philippines is demanding a ransom of 100,000 pesos ($2,000) for three Indonesians kidnapped from a tugboat last week, saying they only want to be reimbursed for cost of the abduction, a military official said on Thursday.

RI kids due at World Cup final JAKARTA: Two Indonesian children will take part at the 2002 World Cup finals in Yokohama, Japan, on Sunday by escorting players as part of the Player Escort Program. The program was jointly organized by fastfood chain McDonald's, soccer world governing body FIFA and UNICEF as part of the Say Yes to Children program.

BP sued by local company JAKARTA: A local supplier company sued the British-American petroleum company BP at the South Jakarta District Court for allegedly suspending their contract unlawfully. PT Mestaco Swarnadwipa demanded the court announce that BP was against the law by violating the contract and demanded US$650 million in compensation from BP. PT Mestaco had supplied Halon 1301, the kind of gas used for fire extinguishers, since 1998 to BP.

Maspion returns to six-day working week Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The management of plastic goods producer PT Maspion eventually heeded to the demands of its employees and scrapped its five-day working week regulation, which had prompted thousands of its workers to go on strike for the past three days.

East flood canal project depends on CGI loan Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The construction of the East Flood Canal might be postponed indefinitely as it is wholly dependent on a loan from the Consultative Group on Indonesia (CGI), a group of foreign donors.

All KPU members threaten to quit if election bill passed Muhammad Nafik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta All 11 members of the General Elections Commission (KPU) have threatened to resign en masse if the House of Representatives passes a new election bill that would effectively undermine the commission's independence.

Alex Komang makes ideal bandit JAKARTA: There is a suspicion that the appointment of actor Alex Komang for the part of Medasing in Helmy Yahya's new TV drama Anak Perawan di Sarang Penyamun (Virgin in the Bandit's Lair) is not only because of the famed actor's acting talent, but also because of the bandit-like bushy beard and moustache that he sports. "Maybe to the casters I look like the ideal bandit," Alex laughed good humoredly.

150 workers suffer food poisoning JAKARTA: Around 150 workers at the Carrefour hypermarket in Lebak Bulus, South Jakarta, suffered from food poisoning and were rushed to the Setia Mitra Hospital on Jl. R.S. Fatmawati, South Jakarta, on Thursday. As of Thursday afternoon, at least 27 workers were still hospitalized. Fatimah, 27, one of the workers said she had felt dizzy and nauseous since Wednesday afternoon. She had consumed rice, chicken and fried noodles on Wednesday.

Govt resumes massive toll road projects The Jakarta Post Jakarta The government is planning to build 4,400 kilometers of toll roads across the country, and is adopting a new tariff policy to lure investors, a senior government official said on Thursday. Minister of Resettlement and Regional Infrastructure Soenarno said the projects were located in Java, Sumatra, Kalimantan and Sulawesi.

KPU members threaten resignation Muhammad Nafik The Jakarta Post Jakarta All 11 members of the General Elections Commission (KPU) have threatened to resign en masse if the House of Representatives passes a new election bill that would effectively undermine the commission's independence. Commission deputy chairman Ramlan Surbakti warned on Thursday that commission members would resign in protest if the bill, which furnishes the government with control over the commission, were passed.

Nine sportsmen abducted in Aceh BANDA ACEH: After participating in the Aceh provincial sports week in Sigli, nine athletes and officials from the Aceh Singkil regency were reportedly abducted by a group of unidentified armed men in Peureulak, East Aceh regency, Antara reported on Thursday. The military operation command spokesman in Lhokseumawe, Maj. Zaenal Mutaqin, confirmed the incident.

Guthrie to sell RI stake KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's Kumpulan Guthrie Bhd. plans to sell a minority stake in Minamas plantations, its Indonesian oil palm operation, to foreign investors. However, Group Chief Executive Abdul Khalid Ibrahim declined to say how much of a stake. Minamas owns 200,000 hectares of oil palm plantations in Indonesia's Sumatra and Kalimantan. Guthrie bought the estates in March 2001 from the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency.

Observers differ on 1999 poll credibility Edith Hartanto and Moch N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Activists do not seem to see eye to eye when it comes to assessing the 1999 election but all agree that the upcoming election has to be better. Wandy Tuturoong, Adi Abidin and Roberto Hutabarat of the Asia Foundation said on Wednesday their institution had proof that the election was quite credible. But members of the General Election Commission (KPU) said that it was less so.

Blatant mockery of justice Our blood pressure had yet to return to normal from the Manulife scandal when we were yet again flabbergasted upon Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra's revelation during Wednesday's trial that he had visited his family on Jl. Cendana, Central Jakarta, once a month, and spent two weeks of every month at home during his almost-one-year on the run. Tommy, who is being charged with the murder of Supreme Court Justice M.

KL offers incentives to cargo firms KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will extend cash incentives to air cargo operators in yet another attempt to boost business at its main international airport, reports said Thursday.