For a global symbol of convenience, the 7-Eleven brand takes some beating for its presence on seemingly every street corner or mall basement. Soon its orange, green and red storefronts will be as familiar in Indonesia as they have become in so many other Asian countries, if the local franchise-holder gets its way and can shake off controversy dogging its first months of operation in this country.

* Looking to attract Gulf Arab investors to develop land JEDDAH, June 12 - Indonesia expects a 6 percent rise in its milled rice harvest this year, leading to a 2 million tonnes surplus, and aims to attract Gulf Arab investors to develop "sleeping land", Agriculture Minister Suswono said. "Growth is 6 percent from last year's figure and over the next five years we would like to see a growth of 3.2 percent," he said on Saturday, during a visit to Saudi Arabia.

Reformasi in Indonesia appears to be disappearing at a quickening pace. * Last week, the National Police said they won't investigate claims that companies owned by coal tycoon Aburizal Bakrie, the head of the Golkar Party, paid bribes to avoid taxes. * President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's reformist pick as central bank governor is in trouble and in Golkar's sights.

From http://www.balidiscovery.com/messages/message.asp?Id=6083 Bali's Taxi War Turns Violent Bali Police Make Arrests as Some 20 Taxis of the Blue Bird Fleet Damaged in Rampage by PJWB Members. Bali police have taken a taxi driver, Made Budiartha, into custody for his participation in damaging 21 taxis owned by Bali Taxi (Blue Bird Taxi) on Tuesday, June 8, 2010, when he togther with members of a local taxi association staged street demonstrations that included attacks on their competitors cars.