Pertamina compensates residents JAKARTA: State oil company Pertamina paid Rp 135 million (US$16,071) in compensation to residents of Kramat subdistrict, Central Jakarta, for environmental damages caused by a suspected leak in the underground storage tank of a gasoline station on Jl. Kramat Raya. The leaked fuel has polluted water wells in houses in community units 5 and 7 in the subdistrict.

Democracy or disaster Lying dormant for some time, and yet now the conscience of Indonesia begins to stir as the 2004 general election looms ever closer. There was a flicker and now a pulse coming from the reform monster, the will of the people and the might of the multitude, for this awakening has been a long time coming. The problem is that "D-Day" is rapidly approaching, with the "D" meaning either democracy or disaster, and one must decide which avenue to go down.

Girl dies in railway accident BOGOR: An unidentified girl, 20, who reportedly had psychological problems, was killed on Monday morning after a passing electric commuter train hit her near the railway traffic gate on Jl. Martadinata, Bogor. Central Bogor Police chief Adj. Comr. Arif Rachman said the incident occurred at 8:30 a.m., only two kilometers from Bogor Station. The girl died instantly from severe, multiple wounding. Before the incident, the girl had visited a nearby police post.

Medical fees to rise by up to 800% TANGERANG: Tangerang General Hospital plans to increase its medical fees by between 100 percent and 800 percent due to the high operational costs. "Medical fees in the hospital have not been increased since 1983. If we still apply the old rates, we cannot provide the same service under current conditions," deputy director of service at the hospital Dr. Bambang Wisnubroto told Tempo News Room on Monday. He said the increase would take effect in March in stages.

Stefanova upsets Utut to take Makita chess lead Zakki Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta An outright mistake during the endgame cost GM Utut Adianto against Bulgarian GM Antoaneta Stefanova here on Monday and he relinquished his overall lead in the US$12,500 Makita-Lakoni International Grand Master Chess Tournament.