Stamping out smuggling is a difficult task that must be supported by all parties concerned; otherwise, it will be futile. Tin has been smuggled out of Indonesia since the 18th century, when Indonesia was still a Dutch colony. Today, tin smuggling is increasing in frequency and volume, especially because a lot of non-traditional tin mines are operated by individuals. Much of this tin is smuggled abroad without any taxes paid to the local administration.

More new names to enter the car market this year I. Christianto, Contributor, Jakarta Concerns over possible unrest in the upcoming national elections are likely to slow the high growth in the country's car market this year. Sedans will be the most affected by the projected slower demand while sales of Multi-Purpose Vehicles (MPVs) are expected to continue to increase thanks to the entry of several new names in this particular car market.

BIN identifies Hambali's network JAKARTA: The National Intelligence Agency (BIN) has obtained from the United States reliable data describing Riduan Isamuddin alias Hambali's terrorist network, an intelligence officer says. BIN chief Hendropriyono said here on Wednesday that his office had received the data after sending questions to the U.S., where Hambali has been held since his arrest last August in Thailand.

M'sians nabbed for illegal logging JAKARTA: National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar said on Wednesday the police have arrested 15 Malaysians for their alleged involvement in illegal logging in Papua. "Illegal logging has been discovered in Papua and we have arrested 15 Malaysians allegedly involved in the activity," Da'i told a hearing with the House of Representatives. Police, he said, had caught red-handed the foreigners felling trees in a restricted area.

Indonesia needs new approaches to heal economy: Experts Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Jump-starting Indonesia's ailing economy will require "unconventional methods" to draw back foreign investment and overcome the pressing problem of unemployment, experts have said. Chairman of the Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo) Sofjan Wanandi said on Wednesday that one way would be by freezing the minimum wage, as it could help address the issue of massive unemployment faced by the country.

U.S. urged to persuade UN relief agencies to return to West Timor Yemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post, Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara Piet A. Tallo, the governor of East Nusa Tenggara province, has called on the United States to persuade the United Nations to cancel the emergency status currently imposed by the world body on the West Timor area.

Former justice probed on 'unreasonable behavior' Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Former justice Adi Andojo Soetjipto, who currently chairs the Trisakti University Board of Rectors, underwent four hours of questioning on Wednesday by South Jakarta Police over a complaint filed by the university's former rector, Thoby Mutis. The police named Adi a suspect in a violation of Article 335 of the Criminal Code on forcing or impeding others from doing something through unreasonable behavior.

Probe into ecstasy cop finished JAKARTA: City Police narcotics division chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Anjan P. Putra said on Wednesday that the investigation of a police officer, who was allegedly in possession of 900 ecstasy pills, had been completed last week. "The case of Comr. Puja Laksana is now in the hands of the West Jakarta prosecutors' office, which is still preparing the indictment," he said as quoted by Tempointeraktif. Puja is a member of the National Police antigraft unit.

Canal construction still hampered by land clearance Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Recent floods in Jakarta that claimed six lives should serve as a warning for the city administration to build the East Flood Canal as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, the planned project has been delayed as the administration lacks the funds for land clearance for the canal.

Hendri leads seeds to Cigna 3rd round Zakki Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia's No. 2 Hendri Susilo Pramono won his second-round match over Ferdi Fauzi as seeded players marched to the next stage of the US$11,800 Cigna Open tennis tournament at the Jakarta Hilton International's Executive Club on Wednesday. One hundred and fifty-five players are competing in the fifth edition of the tournament, which is offering a total US$11,800 in cash prizes.

Governors to gather in Maluku on revision of autonomy law Muhammad Azis Tunny, The Jakarta Post, Ambon, Maluku The governors of all 32 provinces in Indonesia are scheduled to gather in Ambon on March 3 to discuss the ongoing revision of the regional autonomy legislation as well as to ensure postconflict security in the province ahead of the legislative election on April 5.

Conservation leader to get Getty Prize BALI: Conservationist Haji Masdjuni, the regent of Berau, East Kalimantan, will receive the prestigious J. Paul Getty Wildlife Conservation Prize for his achievement in sea turtle protection. The prize will be presented during the World Wide Fund for Nature Indonesia's Turtle Night 2004 charity dinner at the Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park in Jimbaran, Bali, on Friday.

TNI to remain neutral in elections A. Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Indonesian Military (TNI) has pledged to maintain its neutrality in the upcoming general election, its chief said on Wednesday. In a hearing with the House of Representatives's Commission I on defense, TNI Commander Gen. Endriartono Sutarto said this would represent a small break with tradition. "We will remain neutral. We will keep the same distance from all political parties," Endriartono said.

M'sians nabbed for illegal logging JAKARTA: National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar said on Wednesday the police have arrested 15 Malaysians for their alleged involvement in illegal logging in Papua. "Illegal logging has been discovered in Papua and we have arrested 15 Malaysians allegedly involved in the activity," Da'i told a hearing with the House of Representatives. Police, he said, had caught red-handed the foreigners felling trees in a restricted area.

PSM upset by Krung Thai Bank Andi Hajramurni, The Jakarta Post, Makassar, South Sulawesi Playing before 16 thousand home fans in the Mattoangin Stadium, PSM lost 3-2 to Krung Thai Bank in a Group F match, in the Asian Champions League here on Wednesday. It was PSM's second defeat after a 1-5 drubbing by Hoang Ahn Gia Lai of Vietnam.

Audi A8: A limousine for a sporty driver Primastuti Handayani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The automotive premium market segment in Indonesia welcomes the Audi A8, claimed to be a sporty limousine, amid the fiercer competition among carmakers. The car still relies on its Vorsprung durch Technik philosophy, meaning advance through technology. The A8 has the sporty character and design, strengthened with a sunroof and the 19 inch alloy wheel.

Religious factor in U.S.-Muslim relations Muhamad Ali, Lecturer, State Islamic University (UIN) Sharif Hidayatullah, Jakarta Nahdlatul Ulama, the largest Islamic organization in Indonesia, is hosting an international conference of Islamic scholars from over 40 countries, discussing world peace, education, the global economy and the mass media. At the same time, the U.S Embassy in Jakarta will distribute books on U.S.

Government told to settle cases of juvenile crime lawfully Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A government-funded children's organization urged the government on Wednesday to follow the due process of law for children implicated in crimes. "Some 95 percent of criminal cases involving children were settled without the presence of attorneys or adult family members," said Fachri Bey, deputy head of the Pra Yuwana child protection organization.

State legislation on PKI members Sept. 30, 1965 - Blames attempted coup d'etat on PKI 1966 - Emergency People's Consultative Assembly (MPRS) issues MPRS Decree No. 25/1966 outlawing PKI as a political party, any activities disseminating or developing Communist, Marxist or Leninist teachings and ideologies in Indonesia - Punishes, incarcerates or exiles members or alleged members of PKI and affiliate organizations, either legally or extrajudicially - Stamps ID cards of those jailed or exiled E.T.

An unbalanced report I want to comment on an article by Aguswandi that appeared on Feb. 9, titled The cheapening of loyalty, Indonesian style. Whatever his convictions, he should be able to write a balanced and intelligent report on the Aceh crisis, especially in The Jakarta Post, whose readers consist of educated Indonesians and expatriates. As it is, the article is riddled with emotion only fit for a yellow paper. I hope next time he uses more intelligence and less emotion.

No more student scholarships? From Suara Karya In this period of reform many college students are deprived of the opportunity to further their studies because of high tuition fees. Meanwhile, there are a dearth of government-sponsored scholarships for students with high achievements. In the past, there was the Super Semar scholarship foundation, a semi-government institution providing scholarships to model students. Since the end of the New Order, this foundation has no longer been functional.

Govt may cut tariff on steel import The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government is considering slashing import duty tariffs on steel to between 5 and 10 percent to ensure high global prices would not hurt local industry, the customs head said. Director General of Customs and Excise Eddy Abdurrachman said on Wednesday a study was exploring the possibility of reducing the tariffs, which currently stand at between 20 and 25 percent.

Amien-Susilo, an ideal pairing? From Koran Tempo Reform of the nation is going nowhere, so the idea of Amien Rais and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono as the country's prospective leaders seems appropriate in order to restart the process. Amien Rais has been one of the initiators of reform. He is legally flawless, a professor, not part of the New Order and has a good commitment to reform. Though some dislike him, at least he deserves a chance to prove himself.

Religious leaders pledge neutrality Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Religious leaders pledged on Wednesday to remain neutral in the general election and appealed to the followers of the various religions to maintain their composure in the face of provocation from political parties. Muhammadiyah Chairman Ahmad Syafii Maarif, Solahuddin Wahid from Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Indonesian Communion of Churches (PGI) Chairman Rev.

Swissasia retains Bank Lippo management Leony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Swissasia Global, the new controlling owner of publicly listed Bank Lippo, has decided in an extraordinary shareholders meeting to retain Joseph Luhukay as president and Mochtar Riady as chairman of the board of commissioners.

PDI-P councillor's diploma disappears BOGOR: Bogor police deputy chief Comr. Budi Prasetyo said the original copy of the high school diploma of recently elected deputy mayor Mochamad Sahid was missing, and was thus impeding the investigation into the alleged use of a fake diploma in January's mayoral election. "Sahid said the diploma was still at the city administration office, but the officials there said they had returned it to him after the case was made public.

Govt told to change policy on ex-PKI cadres The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Constitutional Court's decision to reinstate the constitutional rights of former communist members and their families members has sparked calls for an end to all discrimination against them.

SIA most admired company in Asia Singapore: Singapore Airlines (SIA) has been voted the most admired company in Asia outside of Japan in an annual Fortune magazine poll of business executives, said a report on Wednesday. This is the third straight year the airline has won the honor, and SIA was the only Asian company outside of Japan to make Fortune's 50 company "All-Star" list. But its position slipped to number 32 this year, down from number 21 last year, reported The Straits Times newspaper.

JP/1/HOUR3 Justice, judge get awards: Justice Abdurrahman Saleh and judge Amirudin Zakaria of the Supreme Court were presented the Lopa Award late on Wednesday at the Proclamation Monument in Central Jakarta -- but they did not show up. Abdurrahman was the only justice who added a dissenting opinion in the verdict announced on Feb. 12, which cleared Golkar leader and House Speaker Akbar Tandjung of charges he abused Rp 40 billion (US$4.8 million).

Tutut, Amien to attend mass prayer MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: Former president Soeharto's daughter Siti "Tutut" Hardijanti Rukmana and People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Amien Rais are expected to attend a ritual for casting out evil in the South Sulawesi regency, Gowa, on March 5. The two prominent figures will be among 5,000 people from the province's 28 regencies/mayoralties to gather in the mass prayer, known as National Songkabala.