Haze a health hazard The government of Indonesia yet again has failed to do anything about the haze from the massive forest fires that is choking its neighbor, Malaysia. It is a serious health hazard to children and older people. Thirty years from now they will suffer from the effects of smoke inhalation in the form of serious respiratory illnesses, including lung cancer. Our own population some years back was subjected to similar conditions.

IABC most pluralistic of all chambers Zakki P. Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta What makes the Indonesia-Australia Business Council (IABC) unique compared to other chambers of commerce in the country? "The IABC is the only chamber in Jakarta with a membership that is quite equal (in number) between Australians and Indonesians. It is 45 percent Indonesians, 45 percent Australians and 10 percent other nationalities," IABC president Noke Kiroyan told The Jakarta Post.

Freedom fighters still fighting 60 years on Indra Harsaputra The Jakarta Post/Surabaya Chairman of the Surabaya chapter of the Indonesian Veterans Legion (LVRI), Hartoyik, 75, places a black-and-white photograph of two Indonesian soldiers carrying machine guns in the fight to defend Surabaya against the Allied Forces, atop his desk.

Bali-Udayana-Environment JP/22/UDAYAN Udayana eco-lodge promotes environmental preservation Rita A.Widiadana The Jakarta Post/Jimbaran A few years ago, no one would have chosen to live, let alone study, and do business on the barren cliff of Bukit Jimbaran, 20 kilometers to the south of Denpasar, where access to water, food sources and electricity was very limited.

Kupang residents fear fuel crisis Antara Kupang Fearing a fuel shortage and subsequent soaring prices, residents packed gasoline stations in East Nusa Tenggara town of Kupang on Tuesday with long lines of vehicles snaking out of gasoline stations in the city center. State oil company Pertamina announced earlier that the premium gasoline supply would only be sufficient for the next five days.

Ambon residents join in celebratory spirit M. Azis Tunny The Jakarta Post/Ambon There has been a change in the atmosphere marking the country's anniversary celebrations in the Kudamati area of Ambon, notorious as a stronghold of the self-proclaimed South Maluku Republic (RMS) supporters.

Bali briefs JP/22/BRIEFS/ checked -- JSR Kite festival bonds hotel staff SANUR: The Bali Hyatt Kite Festival was held on Sanur beach on August 7 to build team unity among staff and allow guests to experience a Balinese community event. The event began with a parade of the eight teams from Telaga Naga restaurant to the beach, where everyone was welcomed with a Balinese dance.

Bali-women-JobCreation JP/22/JANET Single mother turns women into silversmiths Rita A. Widiadana The Jakarta Post/Gianyar Janet Molloy first came to Bali almost 30 years ago as a young, enthusiastic, qualified chef from Melbourne, Australia. Her dream was to visit the island, to see the beautiful scenery and to learn about its culture and cuisine. She fell in love with the island and met her husband, now ex- husband; they tied the knot in l988.

;;JP;CD; Spotlight: For Thursday, August 18, 2005 NEW OFFICE: U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia H.E Lynn Pascoe cuts a ribbon to mark the opening of PT Asuransi AIU Indonesia (AIUI)'s new office in the Jakarta Stock Exchange Building in South Jakarta. The company's President Director, Peter Meyer (right), and the President Commissioner, Harry Diah (left), also attended the ceremony. The new office is part of AIUI's expansion plans. AIUI is a member company of American International Group, Inc.

JP/20/PEOPLE 'It's about the lives of so many people' Muninggar Sri Saraswati The Jakarta Post/Jakarta It was difficult to reach Hamid Awaluddin after his appointment as minister of justice and human rights in October last year. The new minister often "disappeared" from public view, particularly at weekends. Journalists were simply informed that Hamid had gone, for example, to Batam, Singapore or Malaysia. No official statements were ever made about his short, secretive trips.

'A poorer version of the U.S. -- plus kangaroos' Duncan Graham, Contributor, Surabaya Australian and Indonesian academics agree: More government and community support is needed for cultural and language studies in both countries to help improve relationships. Enrollments are dropping for Indonesian Studies and language in Australian schools and universities. In Indonesia only a few hundred undergraduates are actively studying their southern neighbor, though numbers are slowly increasing.

Business as usual despite bombings, politics, Corby Zakki P. Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Terrorist bombings, political rifts over Timor Leste's independence and the Corby trial earlier this year have added some unwelcome spice to the Indonesian-Australian relationship, but apparently it's full steam ahead for the two countries' economic relations. "It is business as usual as far as business is concerned.

Business as usual despite bombings, politics, Corby Zakki P. Hakim The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Terrorist bombings, political rifts over Timor Leste's independence and the Corby trial earlier this year have added some unwelcome spice to the Indonesian-Australian relationship, but apparently it's full steam ahead for the two countries' economic relations. "It is business as usual as far as business is concerned.

Where to go in Bali for Thursday, August 18, 2005 .TB.30" 1.0" Exhibitions * Painting Invisible Impresion by Kenji Sasaki, at Ritz-Carlton, Bali Resort and Spa, Cliff Villa Gallery, until Sept. 4 * Arts Elements by Renate Faulhader, at Ganesha Gallery Four Season Resort at Jimbaran Bay, until Aug. 19 * Painting, Hand Painted Ceramic Dance Pieces by Anne van Borselen, at Jenggala Art Gallery, Jl. Uluwatu 2, Jimbaran, from Aug. 26 to Oct.

Taxi drivers not obnoxious I refer to Krabbe K Piting's ill-tempered article about Jakarta taxi drivers in the Aug. 7 edition of The Jakarta Post. She describes with apparent pride her refusal to pay Rp 4,000 to a hapless driver who didn't know a Kebayoran address and then justifies her churlish behavior (which probably caused the poor fellow to lose his place in the queue) by quoting a colleague's "research" findings that nine out of ten people feel taxi drivers are "obnoxious characters".

Soldiers, volunteers, NGOs, businesspeople, have been part of the Australian community in Indonesia Abdul Khalik The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Relations between the peoples of Australia and Indonesia stretch back hundreds of years to the time when fishermen from Makassar in South Sulawesi traveled to northern Australia in search of sea cucumbers. But records suggest that it was not until World War II that an Australian community was first established in Indonesia.

Humanitarian projects ease agony of the poor in Bali Rita A.Widiadana, The Jakarta Post, Sanur Seven-year old Komang was burned in a house fire some years ago in his hometown in one of the most impoverished villages in East Bali. The right side of his body was burned so badly, that his harm was fused to his torso. It was really a miracle that he survived the fire. But, his previous cheerful childhood vanished as he could do nothing but cry miserably with no respite from the pain.

Legislators' pay and performance From Kompas The news of the proposal of the members of the House of Representatives for an 82 percent to 104 percent increase in their take-home pay and its approval is indeed surprising and ironical amid the crises, disasters and diseases plaguing the country. Legislators have every right to propose a salary rise as long as they have made fairly good achievements. So far the outcome of their performance has mostly been in conflict with public interests.

On Dutch treat I refer to the article Dutch treat: Who pays for the pain? (The Jakarta Post, Aug. 8). Historical facts in many countries are whitewashed or described in a subjective and improper way but as far as the independence of Indonesia is concerned the facts are known among historians and are indisputable: Aug. 17 is celebrated by the Indonesians as their Independence Date, and Dec. 27, 1949, is regarded by the Dutch as the date of the transfer of sovereignty.

Dutch acceptance of Indonesia's 'Proklamasi' Bernard Bot, Jakarta This is the first time since Indonesia declared its independence that a member of the Dutch government will attend the celebrations. Through my presence the Dutch government expresses its political and moral acceptance of the Proklamasi, the date the Republic of Indonesia declared independence. Only when someone is standing on the summit of the mountain can he see what would have been the simplest and shortest way up.

Soldiers, volunteers, businesspeople have been part of the community Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Relations between the peoples of Australia and Indonesia stretch back hundreds of years to the time when fishermen from Makassar in South Sulawesi traveled to northern Australia in search of sea cucumbers. But records suggest that it was not until World War II that an Australian community was first established in Indonesia.

Virtual love for Bali endures I Wayan Juniartha, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar, Bali The private and professional lives of Kadek Agoes Mulyadi and Melina Caruso is probably the epitome of an emotional bond that for decades has tied the Balinese with the Australians. An opinionated, no-nonsense woman with a sharp wit and fantastic sense of humor, Melina is the embodiment of a western woman's independence that would scare the hell out of any traditional Balinese man.

Humanitarian projects to ease the poor's agonies Rita A.Widiadana The Jakarta Post Sanur Seven-year old Komang was burned in a house fire some years ago in his hometown in one of the most impoverished villages in East Bali. The right side of his body was burned so badly, that his harm was fused to his torso. It was really a miracle that he survived the fire. But, his previous cheerful childhood vanished as he could do nothing but cry miserably with no respite from the pain.

ANZA welcomes people of all nationalities Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Shelley, an Australian, came to Indonesia in the late 1990s. As a university graduate, she planned to stay in Indonesia only for a couple of months to master the Indonesian language, Bahasa Indonesia. She flew to Yogyakarta, taking just one suitcase of clothes and books. "I spoke fairly good Bahasa. I had also read some books about Indonesia and Java, in particular, when I was a student.

445 inmates get remissions MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: A total of 445 prison inmates in West Nusa Tenggara province will have their jail sentences reduced and 39 more will be released in conjunction with Independence Day on Aug. 17. "The reduction of the inmates' jail terms will be announced by Governor HL Serinata during a ceremony at Mataram Penitentiary before the Independence Day ceremony," the head of the provincial Justice and Human Rights Office, Slamet Martawardaya, said on Tuesday.

Ambon police step up fight against drugs M. Azis Tunny The Jakarta Post/Ambon Around 360 police officers from the Ambon and Lease Islands Police underwent urine tests on Monday to ensure they were drug free. Ambon and Lease Islands Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Leonidas Braksan said the tests had been ordered to show the police's commitment to fighting the drug trade in Ambon. "If there are police personnel who test positive for drugs, we'll investigate them.

Photographic interpretation of Zheng He voyage Evi Mariani The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Fascinated by stories of Zheng He's (Cheng Ho's) voyage, accomplished National Geographic (NG) photographer Michael Yamashita retraced the East-to-West journey of Admiral Zheng He's Grand Fleet, visiting nine countries from the birthtown of the great seaman to Kenya. Some of the pictures were published in NG, but more were displayed in an exhibition at Oktagon Gallery, Central Jakarta, last week.