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.

2. three columns, 2 x 30

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.

3. five columns, 1 x 40

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.

4. three columns, 2 x 25

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.

5. two columns, 4 x 14

'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."