Corruption in

Corruption in
Medan riots

MEDAN, North Sumatra: A senior lawyer here, Prof. Anni Abbas
Manopo, called for the punishment of officials who protected
factory owners or employers who violated labor rules such as the
minimum wage.

"I think it would have been impossible for manpower officials
not to have known of the violations of labor regulations by many
employers," she told Antara.

She added that the industrial firms would not have dared
violate the minimum wage limit if they did not possess the
"backing" of government officials.

In her opinion, it was these officials who triggered the
current labor unrest in North Sumatra.

According to Manopo, who holds the distinction of being the
country's first woman lawyer, she has received reports indicating
that local businessmen spend between 10 to 30 percent of their
net profits each month to bribe government officials.

This kind of corruption has gone on too long and is no longer
a secret. It is no wonder then that the issue of labor welfare
cannot be dealt with satisfactorily, she said.(07)

W. Kalimantan gets
new police chief

PONTIANAK, West Kalimantan: Col. Zakaria Rabuddin was inducted
on Wednesday as West Kalimantan's new Chief of Police, replacing
Col. I Ketut Astawa.

The commencement ceremony was conducted by the Deputy Chief of
Operations of the Indonesian Police Maj. Gen. Koesparmono on
behalf of National Police Chief Gen. Banurusman.

In a written speech, Banurusman called for closer cooperation
and mutual support among all the divisions to improve the level
of prosperity and security.

"The improvement of welfare will increase society's potency in
fighting any menacing threats towards security," he as quoted by
Antara. (07)

Kartini trophy
for Megawati

JAKARTA: Megawati Soekarnoputri, the head of the Indonesian
Democratic Party (PDI), along with 14 other prominent women will
receive the Kartini trophy from the Jakarta Foundation in
recognition their many accomplishments in the commercial and
social fields.

The 1994 Kartini trophy will be awarded during a Charity Grand
Gala Dinner on Saturday as part of the second Women's
Achievements Awards.

Included among this year's distinguished list of recipients is
badminton superstar Susi Susanti, fashion designer Ghea Sukarya
and traditional cosmetics entrepreneur Mooryati Soedibyo.

The head of the organizing committee told Antara on Wednesday
that these women have achieved successes in their fields and thus
deserve their due recognition.(07)