Govt told to submit TRC bill to House JAKARTA: The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) expressed regret on Monday over the government's move to withhold the bill on truth and reconciliation commission (TRC), saying the move revealed the government's lack of will in handling rights abuses in the past. "It has been mandated by the MPR (People's Consultative Assembly).

Peaceful antiwar protest It has been fairly clear that, so far, reaction to this unwanted war in Iraq has been peaceful in the way of protest all across Indonesia. That is not only commendable of the Indonesian government and the security forces, but also, in the main, of the Indonesian people.

Regional autonomy Threats of Indonesia's disintegration have been the biggest reason in the past why regional autonomy was shunned, but recently it was hoped that by giving the regions more power, it would curb - at the very least - separatist movements. We hoped that separatism in Aceh and Papua would die down as soon as regional autonomy law was implemented. Regional autonomy should have promoted power sharing between the central government and the provinces and regencies/mayoralties.

Indonesia may delay Asia-Africa meeting The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia is considering delaying the initial Asia Africa Subregional Organization Conference (ASROC) meeting in Bandung due to the heated war in Iraq and worldwide threat of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) epidemic.

Endangered Hawk-eagle sold illegally Bambang M, Contributor, Yogyakarta Environmental damage and continued bird hunting have brought many bird species, some of which have never been studied or cataloged, to the brink of extinction. One of these species, now very rarely found in its natural habitat in Indonesia, is the Changeable Hawk-eagle (Spizaetus cirrhatus). In Indonesia, the Changeable Hawk-eagle is known as Elang brontok. The Javanese word brontok means a blister on your skin.

Maluku council prepares for gubernatorial election Aziz Tunny, The Jakarta Post, Ambon, Maluku The Maluku legislative council plans to kick start the long-delayed gubernatorial election, which the council hopes will result in the lifting of the state of civil emergency the province has been under for almost three years. Maluku Council speaker Zeith Sahuburua said he expected the election to be held during the council's second session, which will run for three months starting in April.

IBRA urged to cancel Danamon divestment The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) should cancel the sale of a 51 percent stake in Bank Danamon if the bids offered are too low, senior legislators said on Monday. Faisal Baasyir and Anthony Zedra Abidin, lawmakers from the House of Representatives Commission IX for financial affairs, said there was no point in proceeding with the plan if it failed to generate the best possible proceeds. "It's about the timing.

Police question 13 over JSC attack Nani Farida and Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh/Jakarta At least 13 people have been questioned about Sunday's attack on the office of the Joint Security Committee (JSC) in Langsa, East Aceh, authorities said. East Aceh Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Gaguk Sumartono told The Jakarta Post on Monday that four of those questioned had admitted their involvement in the attack. "We were questioning them as witnesses.