LIPI against limitation on candidates

LIPI against limitation on candidates

Researchers from the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) are calling on the House of Representatives (DPR) to allow all political parties contesting the 2004 elections to nominate their own presidential candidates.

They also suggested that legislative and presidential elections be organized all at the same time.

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Children's state of health static, says Minister

No improvement has been made in the overall health condition of children in the country as the economic crisis has plunged most of the population into poverty, Minister of Health Achmad Sujudi said.

"Since the economic crisis hit Indonesia, the general health of the nation's children has stagnated," he told a press conference on Tuesday held in conjunction with the World Health Day (WHD), which falls on April 7.

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Lack of funds hampers establishment of KPUD offices

Funding problems delay KPUD office setups

The late disbursement of election funds from the central government has hampered the establishment of Regional General Elections Commission (KPUD) offices in several provinces, which could delay the 2004 elections.

West Java, East Java, North Sumatra and South Sulawesi are among the provinces that have not yet established their regional elections commissions, whose main duty it is to verify the presence of political parties in regions before declaring them eligible to take part in the general election.

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Bali deserted for Day of Silence celebration

Bali was uncustomarily calm and tranquil on Wednesday as the predominantly Hindu island celebrated Nyepi, the Hindu Day of Silence, which marked the Saka New Year 1925.

During the day, Hindus here are obliged to avoid light, work, traveling outside the family compound and leisure and entertainment activities.

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'Gross human rights abuse took place in May riots'

The National Commission on Human Rights declared on Tuesday that gross human rights violation had taken place during massive riots in Jakarta in May 1998, which preceded the fall of long-time ruler Soeharto.

After conducting an investigation for about two months, the commission's ad hoc team led by Solahuddin Wahid concluded that "security authorities at that time failed to curb the widespread riots which took place simultaneously."