Bolkiah to receive academic title

Bolkiah to receive academic title

YOGYAKARTA: Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam is to
receive on Wednesday an honorary doctorate in culture from Gadjah
Mada University (UGM) during his visit to the sultanate city.

Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, UGM Rector Sofian Effendi
said that the doctorate was being conferred to the sultan for his
achievement in developing social welfare, education and
infrastructure in his country.

"His Majesty is entitled to the doctorate also because of his
role in developing relations based on the principle of mutual
respect for sovereignty and historical legacy," Sofian said.

The award for the Sultan was proposed by the Indonesian
government last month, Sofian said.

He will be the fifth head of state of a Southeast Asian
country to receive the degree.

Sultan Bolkiah had been honored with a similar degree in
politics from Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok and in law from
the University of the Philippines in Manila.

The Sultan is expected to deliver an inauguration speech
before Gadjah Mada University's senates and academicians.

Yogyakarta Governor Sultan Hamengkubuwono X is to host a lunch
for the Sultan of Brunei after the ceremony. -- JP

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OPM establishes branch in Vanuatu
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OPM establishes branch in Vanuatu

JAKARTA: The Indonesian government is seeking clarification
from the Vanuatu government regarding reports a branch of the
Free Papuan Organization (OPM) separatist movement has opened in
the Pacific country.

Indonesian foreign minister Hassan Wirayuda said on Tuesday
that an official letter questioning the reports was sent by the
Indonesian embassy in Canberra, but had not been responded to.

"We would like to know whether the decision came from the
Vanuatu government or only from a certain member of its cabinet."
Hassan said.

Indonesia has won support from Pacific countries over its
sovereignty over Papua. Vanuatu has officially refused to
acknowledge OPM as an anticolonial movement. --JP

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Supreme Court to hear Akbar's case
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Supreme Court to hear Akbar's case

JAKARTA: The Supreme Court will hear the appeal of Akbar
Tandjung, the speaker of the House of Representatives, who has
been sentenced to three-years in jail for corruption.

An official with the Supreme Court said on Tuesday that
Akbar's lawyer had filed the appeal last month. The court has yet
to form a panel of judges to try the case.

The registration official said it usually took the Supreme
Court one month to form a panel to hear appeals.

The Jakarta High Court upheld in January the Central Jakarta
District Court's jail sentence passed on Akbar for the
misappropriation of Rp 40 billion (US$4 million) of Bulog funds
intended to feed the poor.

The verdict prompted House legislators to renew their calls
for Akbar's resignation on moral and ethical grounds. The
conviction also threatens Akbar's position as the chairman of the
Golkar Party and his bid for the presidency in 2004. -- JP

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Govt to fund school renovation
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Govt to fund school renovation

JAKARTA: The Ministry of National Education plans to disburse
funds this year for the reconstruction in less developed regions
of 2,167 school buildings that have been damaged by natural
disasters.

Indra Djati Sidi, director general for elementary and
secondary education at the education ministry, said on Tuesday
that the funds would be transferred directly to school
committees.

Elementary schools are to receive Rp 50 million (US$5,630),
junior high schools Rp 65 million, and senior high schools Rp 75
million.

To reduce renovation costs, Indra suggested that students and
local residents take part in the reconstruction project.

It was expected that the students' participation in the
project would improve their sense of belonging to their school,
he added.

The ministry has funded the renovation of 234 school buildings
and 870 school buildings in 2001 and 2002, respectively. --
Antara

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58 firms undergo environmental audit
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58 firms undergo environmental audit

SEMARANG: The government is conducting an environmental audit
on 58 companies and expects to publish the results early next
month, State Minister for the Environment Nabiel Makarim said on
Tuesday.

Some aspects being assessed by the government team include
waste management, air emissions and management of toxic waste.

The companies being audited are manufacturing companies
(textile, pulp and paper), mining firms (gold, nickel, coal and
oil), plantation companies (sugar and palm oil), and forestry
firms.

Nabiel said that the companies selected for the audit were
those with high-scale production, export orientation and those
companies publicly listed on the stock market.

The examination is being conducted in response to public
demands, the minister said. -- Antara