40 NGOs fight for peace in Aceh

40 NGOs fight for peace in Aceh

BANDA ACEH, Aceh: Some 40 non-governmental organizations
launched a coalition at the office of the Joint Security
Committee (JSC) in the city to fight for peace in the province.

Before the declaration, a number of activists gave speeches
opposing violence and calling for rebels and security personnel
to comply with the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement signed last
December.

After the declaration, the activists pledged to conduct
activities during the month to support the establishment of peace
in the province.

The chairman of the Coalition for Acehnese Civilians, Risman
A. Rachman, said the Acehnese people considered the Cessation of
Hostilities Agreement as a victory for human values in the
province.

The military and the Free Aceh Movement should comply with the
agreement to end the conflict in order to give time and space for
civilians to create a better future, he said. --Antara

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Blasts-Medan
Another bomb blasts in Medan
JP/5/Across

Another blast in Medan

MEDAN, North Sumatra: Following a bomb blast that damaged
three cars at Medan mayor's office on Monday, another homemade
bomb exploded in Labuhan Deli, more than 20 kilometers north of
the city early on Tuesday, near a gas pipeline.

Another bomb planted directly below a liquefied gas pipeline
did not explode.

The spokesman for the North Sumatra Police, Adj. Sr. Comr.
Amrin Karim, said the bomb blast that could be heard at a radius
of two kilometers caused minor damage to the pipeline and several
houses near the blast site.

No casualties were reported in the blast. But if the pipeline
had been damaged it would have caused a major fire. The pipeline,
built by state-owned Pertamina, is quite prone to fire since it
has no special security provisions.

The bomb squad took the unexploded bomb to be examined at the
police laboratory.

The police have detained 10 people in connection with further
investigation into the blast. -- JP

Caltex workers threaten to strike

PEKANBARU, Riau: Thousands of field workers of American
mining company PT Caltex Pacific Indonesia (CPI) threatened on
Tuesday to go strike if the management went ahead with its
decision to cut the days off in the company.

The spokesman for the CPI workers union (SPNC), Kusno Teguh,
said the workers employed in oil wells would go strike as of
Wednesday until the management reviewed the decision.

The management has changed the working days by cutting the
days off from five days to two days for every five working days.
The current ruling in the company stipulates that workers
employed in oil wells are allowed to take five days off for every
five working days.

"We cannot imagine what will happen if all the workers
employed in oil wells, go on strike for a long period," said
Kusno.

He said SPNC had filed a complaint with the local chapter of
the Labor Dispute Settlement (P4D) to reject CPI's request for
the new policy on the revised working days.

"It is better for the workers' health to work for five days
and take a rest for five days," he said. -- JP

Kendari mayor, deputy sworn in

KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: Southeast Sulawesi Governor Ali
Mazi swore in Lukman Abunawas as the new mayor of Kendari and
Tony Herbiansyah as his deputy despite allegations of bribery.

Many city's residents have opposed the installment because
they alleged the two were involved in money politics during the
recent elections.

Abdul Rasyid Tahir who is now under police detention had
confessed to accepting Rp 25 million as a bribe to vote in favor
of the two during the election held by the municipal legislative
council.

According to the law, Lukman and Tony will be suspended if
proven guilty.

The governor called on city residents to end the polemic on
the mayoralty election to allow them to make progress.

"The development program in the city will stagnate if the
people continue to oppose the new city leadership," he said
during the swearing-in ceremony.

Ali who was sworn in as governor last December may also stand
trial as the government prosecutor's office in the city has
grilled several legislators who allegedly accepted bribes from
him during the gubernatorial election. -- JP