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)