Polio cases soar to 34 JAKARTA: Indonesia has seen six more cases of polio confirmed, bringing the total number of children afflicted with the crippling virus to 34, the World Health Organization reported on Friday. One of the newly confirmed cases came from the West Java regency of Sukabumi, where the first polio case was found in April, while the remaining five were found in the neighboring regencies of Lebak, Cianjur and Bogor.

Rejection of EU constitution The rather unconvincing declarations made by the European Union's leadership that the ratification process for the ill- fated European constitution is not yet dead reminds me of the farmer's futile attempt to kick his dead mule back to life. Political decision makers would be well advised to act on the real reasons for the debacle (Crisis-hit EU mulls options after new charter blow in The Jakarta Post dated June 8).

Malaysia facing pressure to reform car import policy Eileen NG, Associated Press, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia For decades, Malaysia's policy of giving Malay auto dealers the exclusive right to import foreign cars at the expense of minority Chinese and Indians has been like a dark family secret - you know it but you don't talk about it. After all, it hinged on the country's most sensitive nerve ending: racial inequality.

PKB prepares disciplinary moves against rivals Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta After winning recognition from the government, the National Awakening Party (PKB) under Muhaimin Iskandar is mulling action against members of a rival camp. PKB deputy secretary-general Zannuba Arifah Chafsoh, better known as Yenni Wahid, said on Saturday, however, that doors would stay open for the party's splinter group to rejoin. "We maintain the spirit of brotherhood.

Eradicate pornography From Media Indonesia The sexual harassment by seven Jakarta high school girls against their younger peers and cellular phone flicks that depict bare-breasted school girls masturbating should arouse our deep concern. Many other such cases have certainly escaped the media's eye. The problem of morality and character among teenagers involves not only formal education but also the role of their families, social environment and personal associations.

Part 1 of 2: Democracy, defense and development Juwono Sudarsono, Jakarta From a centralized government backed by the military for more than 32 years under President Soeharto, Indonesia today remains the focus of attention of many policymakers and academicians. The questions posed were: Can civilian-dominated politics take root in Indonesia and become the vanguard of democratic government in a country that has the largest Muslim population in the world?

Studying abroad -- Big costs, big rewards Sudibyo M. Wiradji, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Studying abroad may not only enrich your academic experience and give you some international experience, an overseas education can also be the key to a good career. In this ever-increasingly borderless world, major companies not only want employees with good skills but also a good command of the English language, in addition to a good knowledge of international affairs.

Abdul-Ilham: A struggle since the beginning Abdul Wahab Abidin and running mate Ilham Wijaya have trod a long and difficult road to be named the Depok mayoral candidates representing the Democratic Party. The pair first had to compete with Gaduh Sunu Sumantri and Agung Wicaksono, who also claimed to have support from the party's central executive board.

Callers find it hard to reach President Susilo Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta It is not exactly like a subtle rejection by a fellow who dutifully gives his number and asks you to call him but never picks up the phone. Nevertheless those who phoned or sent text messages to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's private number on Sunday, were disappointed by the "busy" tone or undelivered messages.

* Newmont in angry exchange over Indonesia probe Page 2 * PKB prepares disciplinary moves against rivals Page 4 * Colorful Surabaya election campaign Page 5 * Democracy, defense and development Page 7 * Depok mayoral candidates offer alternatives Page 9 * Security lockdown strains Yangon with searches, patrols Page 11 * House 'won't intervene' in Cepu oil dispute Page 13 * Computers now grading student writing in the U.S. Page 20 * Christian keeps true to father's words Page 21

Where to go in Jakarta: Monday, June 13, 2005 Exhibitions * Fine Arts Black is Black by M. Faisal (Iconk) at Galeri Nasional Indonesia Jl. Medan Merdeka Timur No.14 Central Jakarta, until June 14 * Photo Images from the Heart by Arbain Rambey, Arun Taneja, Charlie Sianipar, Deniek G. Sukarya, Karin Sukarya, Keijo Fujii, etc., at Deniek G. Sukarya Gallery, Jl. Kemang Raya No. 15 South Jakarta, open daily Monday - Saturday 10 a.m.

G-33 upbeat WTO members will accept special treatment offer Zakki P. Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Group of 33 developing countries is upbeat about its chances that World Trade Organization members will accept its proposal on the implementation details of special and differential treatment in protecting staple farm products.

Achdiat Karta Mihardja: 'Not of an age but for all time' Emmy Fitri, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The lines of a poem Ayahku (my father) shows how deep admiration blends so well with the bewilderment that Nuska sees in her father. And yet it speaks volumes about her father, the literary giant Achdiat Karta Mihardja. Kukenang masa kecilku/ayah selalu membaca/kukenang masa laluku ayah selalu berdebat/berperang dia dengan dirinya. The line literally means "I remember my childhood, father always read.

Senen, Jakarta's real mess From Warta Kota The Senen area in Central Jakarta has long been a gathering place for artists as well as a hoodlum operational area. The predominance of a serious criminal element has now even made the zone "untouchable" --- Jakarta security personnel and police will not go near the area, let alone curb any crime.

Bappenas should be dissolved From Republika I would like to put a question to the President, who is also a populist economist: When will the National Development Planning Board (Bappenas), which follows the New Order regime's top-down economic development pattern, be dissolved? The pattern has produced a handful of multinational corporations, while at the same time impoverishing urban and rural communities.

Comprehensive plan and special body needed to fight terrorism Ridarson Galingging, Jakarta We have yet again experienced a terrorist attack. The recent bombing in Poso, Sulawesi and the "attack" on the Indonesian Embassy in Australia show that we have failed to learn from similar incidents in the past and only react after innocent people's lives are taken. The government conducts investigations and tries to prosecute the perpetrators. For the most part, the government just looks helpless.

Newmont in angry exchange over Indonesia investigation Steve James, Reuters/New York A top executive of the world's largest gold miner, Newmont Mining Corp., said the Indonesian government bowed to pressure groups and arrested six company officials because allegations that Newmont had polluted the environment appeared in The New York Times.

Studying in Singapore, Malaysia less costly T.Sima Gunawan, Contributor, Jakarta Studying abroad has long been the choice of many students who want to have an international experience while enjoying quality education. There is a long list of options but most prefer to continue their study in an English-speaking country. America and Australia remain favorite destinations, but there are also students who go to neighboring countries such as Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines.