KUALA LUMPUR (AP): The Malaysia and Indonesian governments Friday reaffirmed plans to set aside a combined 12 million metric tons of palm oil a year for biodiesel production despite uncertainty about the future of the industry.

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian government hopes that major Chinese companies which are holding a machinery and electronic exhibition here would build an industrial base in Indonesia for their machinery, automotive and electronic products.

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Senior Deputy Bank Indonesia (BI) Governor Miranda Goeltom has expressed doubt that the country`s household consumption growth in 2008 will reach the government-set target of 5.7-6.2 percent."In the past five years household consumption grew only 2.3-4 percent.

The sluggish deliberation of the government's taxation law amendment bills resumed Thursday with the government and lawmakers still at odds over a number of key issues, which will likely further delay the enactment of the much-need legislation.