Drought threatens Brebes shallot crops

Drought threatens Brebes shallot crops

BREBES, Central Java: The prolonged drought in Brebes regency,
Central Java, is threatening shallot crops in northern villages.

The bulbs are aged between 20 days and 30 days.

Local farmers said water levels in the Senggom dam, which
holds water for irrigation, was low.

Rosichin, 46, a senior grower from Sigamber village, told The
Jakarta Post on Friday that he had to bribe gangs to allow him
and other farmers to get irrigation water.

"But after a group of local farmers reported the extortion to
local police and staged a protest at the Brebes legislative
council recently, the water channels were again reopened to
irrigate the parched land," said Rosichin.

Eko Pawito, head of the Brebes irrigation office, said the
dam's flow level had been reduced to only 2,200 liters per second
during the dry season.

He said his office also supplied water from the dam to
southern areas of the regency, besides the northern areas. --JP

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ANPAa..r..
Across-Bengkulu-mining
Bengkulu to stop illegal mining
JP/5/D02

Bengkulu to stop illegal mining

BENGKULU, Bengkulu: The provincial administration said on
Saturday it would stop illegal gold mining in protected forests,
including in Kerinci Seblat National Park, next year in order to
prevent further environmental damage.

"We are currently listing all miners in protected forests,"
said Husnaini Nurdin, the head of general mining at the Bengkulu
mines and energy office.

"We aim to eliminate all illegal mining in protected forests
by 2004," he added.

Nurdin acknowledged that illegal mining continued unchecked in
the national park, located in Rejang Rebong regency.

The unauthorized activities involve at least 172 families in
Tambang Sawah village and 1,200 people in Tambang Talang Sawah
village, he said. He could not give an exact figure for illegal
miners in Katenong village.

Illegal mining also occurs in other protected forests in North
Bengkulu regency. Thousands of local residents depend on mining
for a livelihood.

He said his administration was considering relocating the
residents or giving them start-up capital for new businesses
after illegal mining was stopped. --Antara

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Across-Makassar-vehicles
Bone to spend Rp 9.9b on cars
JP/5/D03

Bone to spend Rp 9.9b on cars

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: Bone regency administration in South
Sulawesi plans to buy 42 new official cars, two buses, a fire
truck and 240 motorcycles worth Rp 9.9 billion, officials said on
Saturday.

Muhammad Ridwan, general affairs head at the administration,
said the money would come from the regency's 2003 budget.

The Bone regent will receive a Nissan Terrano SUV and each of
the 27 subdistrict heads will each get a Toyota Kijang van, he
said.

Ridwan said the vehicles would replace official cars that were
10 years old. The move is to support the improvement of local
officials' performance.

Members of the Bone General Elections Commission and the Bone
Elections Supervisory Committee as well local military officers
will also be among the recipients of the official cars.

Meanwhile, at least 224 village heads will each receive
motorcycles. Other recipients include five local police officers.

Ridwan said his office would also buy two buses to pick up
local officials from and to their homes, and a fire truck that
can carry 6,000 liters of water. --Antara

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Across-Yogya-regent
Deputy regent quits for new post
JP/5/D04

Deputy regent quits for new post

YOGYAKARTA: The Bantul legislative council in Yogyakarta
province agreed on Saturday to accept the resignation of Deputy
Regent Totok Sudarto, who will stand for election as the
Bondowoso regent in East Java.

The deputy regent of Bantul, one of the country's poorest
districts, decided to resign to contest the regental election in
Bondowoso for the 2004-2009 term. Totok was due to remain in
office until next year.

Totok and Bantul Regent Idham Samawi attended the council's
plenary session held to discuss the deputy regent's resignation.

In his speech at the meeting, Totok expressed gratitude to all
officials in Bantul for helping him carry out his state duties.

Meanwhile, Idham told the session that he hoped Totok wins the
regental race in Bondowoso. It is unclear when the election will
be held. --Antara