Police have completed an investigation of three companies in Serpong district, Tangerang, accused of using pirated computer software. "The directors of the three companies will soon stand trial as the cases are now in the hands of the prosecutors," Serpong Police chief Adj. Insp. Dewa Wijaya said Wednesday. Police have named eight other companies in the industrial district of Tangerang suspected of using pirated copies of Microsoft software. None of the suspects have been taken into custody.

Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI), the nation's third largest lender, is this year targeting a 40 percent increase in housing loans, the largest contributor to its consumer lending growth. BNI general manager for consumer loans Diah Sulistianto said Wednesday the target was based on estimated strong demand for housing loans, in line with an expected robust property industry.

Despite slower growth in some business sub-sectors, Indonesia is not suffering from "de-industrialization", with manufacturing continuing to play a significant and stable role in the economy, a seminar heard Wednesday.

Ika Krismantari and Agustina Wayansari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta he government's plan to charge value-added tax for the use of electricity beyond 1,300 watts has been criticized, with one group calling the decision borne of political interests. Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) vice chairman Chris Kanter told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday the government wanted to "play it safe" by not increasing prices to keep up with the current global economic recession.