Biggest mosque model recorded
SEMARANG: Indonesia's Museum of Records (MURI) manager Paulus Tangka said here on Friday that the biggest mosque model made of chocolate by the Sari Pan Pacific Hotel, Jakarta overnight would add to MURI's collection of records, bringing its collection of achievements to 820.
"This is the first model ever made in Indonesia and very unique because it is made of 17 kilograms of chocolate," Paulus said of the model displayed in front of the hotel after conferring a certificate on the hotel's management.
The model, 2.85 meters high, 2.5 meters wide and 2.5 meters long, took more than a month to complete. -- Antara
;JP;AMD; ANPAa..r.. Across-suicide-crisis Cash-strap grandma commits suicide JP/5/ACROSS
Cash-strapped grandma commits suicide
BOJONEGORO, East Java: Poverty is not a choice for everybody, including an old woman here, who preferred to take her own life.
To end the prolonged hard life she had to bear, Suparmi, 60, committed suicide at dawn on Thursday.
Her body was found by her ailing husband, Djari, 65, who had asked her for a glass of coffee that morning, Antara reported.
Curious of why it took her wife a long time to serve his drink, Djari went out of his bedroom to the kitchen, only to find her wife hanging in the living room of their modest house near a teak wood forest in Sendang Mancung hamlet in Kasiman district.
Djari speculated his wife committed suicide because she could no longer stand her misfortune.
Since he fell sick a few years ago, which confined him to bed almost round the clock, Suparmi had taken over his job as scavenger of fire wood.
Bojonegoro police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Ma'mun confirmed that Suparmi took her own life. -- Antara
;JP;AMD; ANPAa..r.. Across-corruption-official Official implicated in Rp 1.7b graft JP/5/ACROSS
Officials implicated in Rp 1.7b scam
SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: Kutai Kartanegara Police are investigating the alleged involvement of provincial administration officials in a scam that cost a contractor Rp 1.7 billion (US$188,000).
Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Arief Wicaksono said on Friday the role of the provincial public works agency officials was discovered after questioning the only suspect detained so far, a middlewoman, Santi, and provincial legislative council member Muhammad HS.
The case revolves around details of a road construction project leaked to contractor Sugiono of Samarinda by Santi, who then suggested that the businessman pay Muhammad Rp 1.7 billion in exchange for his political support.
Muhammad allegedly took his share of Rp 450 million and gave Rp 980 million to public works officials and Rp 100 million to two of his fellow councillors.
As the project did not materialize, Sugiono reported the case to police.
Arief said the police might change the status of the councillor to a suspect, pending questioning of other witnesses. -- Antara
;JP;AMD; ANPAa..r.. Across-regent-induction Kolaka regency has new leader JP/5/ACROSS
Kolaka regency has new leader
KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: Outgoing Southeast Sulawesi La Ode Kaimoeddin swore in on Friday deputy regent Buhari Matta as the acting Kolaka regent in place of Adel Berty.
The ceremony took place at the governor's official residence after Adel and hundreds of his supporters occupied the Kolaka regency administration office.
Kaimoeddin said Adel lost his job as a consequence of his bid for the gubernatorial post for the 2002/2007 period which was eventually won by Ali Mazi. Prior to his campaign, Adel submitted his resignation letter.
In his recent letter, Minister of Home Affairs Hari Sabarno endorsed the regency legislature's request to approve Adel's resignation after he failed to fulfill his promise to complete his accountability report.
The governor was on his way to Kolaka, 178 kilometers away from the provincial capital of Kendari, when he was informed about the demonstration, led by Adel, who chairs the local Golkar chapter.
Kaimoedin said he was disappointed with the security authorities for allowing the rally to take place. -- Antara