Minimum wage in E. Java set at Rp 453,200: On Thursday, following
Minimum wage in E. Java set at Rp 453,200: On Thursday, following a two-month deadlock between employers and workers, the governor of East Java moved to set the monthly minimum wages in 36 regencies and mayoralties in the province for the 2002 fiscal year. Page 2
What Islam will Afghan government follow?: The Taliban named it the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. Their predecessors called it the Islamic State of Afghanistan. Refer to history and remember Afghanistan is Islamic is the advice of Afghans and clerics to the incoming government. Page 3
Papua's autonomy test: The Laws no. 22/1999 and no. 25/1999 regarding political decentralization (regional autonomy) and economic deconcentration (fiscal balance) have acquired more serious attention from foreign foundations and foreign companies operating in Indonesia. Page 4
Jakarta raids becak drivers: Hundreds of street vendors from around the Gambir Railway station attacked city public order officers on Thursday after the officers confiscated the vendors' possessions just days after Idul Fitri celebrations. Page 6
Ismiyati sues Saudi princess: Memet Ismiyati, an Indonesian maid assaulted by her employer while working in the U.S., has filed suit against the woman, a Saudi princess, for an attack that she says caused her physical and mental trauma. Page 8
Argentina nears collapse: Argentina teetered on the brink of economic collapse after anti-government protests and looting prompted the president to declare a state of siege and the powerful economy minister to resign. Sixteen died in violence that extended into a second day on Thursday. Page 9
Bodybuilder warns against high expectations: Indonesia's leading bodybuilder Ade Rai has warned against unrealistic expectations ahead of his planned participation in the 2002 Asian Games in Busan, South Korea. Page 11
Taiwan sensation powers to semi-final berth: Women's singles top seed Wynne Prakusya of Indonesia trounced China's Liu Nan Nan to reach the semifinals in the US$ 60,000 Asian Championships on Thursday, but it was teenage Hsieh Su-wei of Taiwan who stole the show. Page 12
IBRA says MSAA extension needed: The Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) has claimed that the controversial extension of the Master of Settlement and Acquisition Agreement (MSAA) is necessary to restart faltering debt payments from former bank owners. Page 19