Interest rates: Bank Indonesia (BI) stressed that inflationary
Interest rates: Bank Indonesia (BI) stressed that inflationary pressure would remain a concern for the central bank due to a weaker than expected rupiah, dashing hopes for a cut in interest rates. Page 2
Talks on FUD bogged down: Negotiations to reinstate the Regional Representatives Faction (FUD) at the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) have made little progress mainly due to the fact that only 73 out of the 130 regional representatives fully support it at this time. Page 5
Beddu facing jail: Former chief of the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) Beddu Amang is facing a possible sentence of four years in jail for allegedly causing some Rp 95.4 billion (US$9.54 million) in state losses in a corrupt land swap deal. Page 8
No new airport for Medan: Authorities in Medan, North Sumatra, have canceled plans to relocate the Polonia airport to Kuala Namu, some 30 kilometers south of the city due to a land dispute between the Air Force and a legislator. Page 9
Hanson suggests cutting RI aid: Far-right firebrand Pauline Hanson wants Australia to cut aid to neighboring Indonesia to force the Muslim nation to do something about the flow of illegal immigrants. Page 10
Sri Lanka set for poll: War-torn Sri Lanka was bracing for its second bloody election in a year on Thursday after the country's embattled president sacked parliament to spare her Marxist-backed minority coalition defeat in a no-confidence vote. Page 11
Longo wins 13th world title: French veteran Jeanne Longo-Ciprelli rolled back the years to defy a rival 21 years her junior and win the women's time trial at the world road race championships here Wednesday for her 13th world crown. Page 14
Asian stocks end Higher: Asian stock markets were mostly higher Thursday, with Wall Street's rebound boosting sentiment that had been weak ever since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the U.S. Page 20
Regional currencies mixed: Asian currencies were mixed late Thursday, with the Singapore dollar extending its slide to 11- week lows as the central bank apparently acquiesced to a weaker currency. Page 21