East Java backs Hamzah, Tosari

East Java backs Hamzah, Tosari

SURABAYA: The East Java chapter of the United Development
Party (PPP) nominated Vice President Hamzah Haz and House deputy
speaker Tosari Widjaja candidates for the party's chairmanship
for the 2003-2008 period on Friday.

Incumbent PPP chairman Hamzah has said he would not contest
another term if there were no contenders from the younger
generation for the election scheduled for May.

Secretary of East Java's PPP chapter, Muhammad Mirdasy, said
if Hamzah declined the nomination, the chapter would support
Tosari, who is one of the party's deputy chairmen.

During the congress in May, the chapter would campaign for
regeneration in the central board of executives, which is
currently dominated by older figures.

Mirdasy expressed disappointment in Hamzah, who he said would
use state facilities when he attends the party's anniversary
celebrations on April 26. -- Antara

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Public urged to report corruption
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Public urged to report corruption

JAKARTA: The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI
Perjuangan) is attempting to restore its deteriorating image by
introducing a special post office box where the public can report
corruption committed by party cadres.

The address was launched on Friday less than one month after
party official Kwik Kian Gie said PDI Perjuangan was the most
corrupt party in Indonesia.

PDI Perjuangan officials said the move was designed to
determine if party cadres were involved in the corruption
disclosed by Kwik, who is the State Minister of National
Development Planning.

"We will know whether there are many party cadres who are
involved in corrupt practices," said M. Prakosa, who chairs the
party's research and development bureau, at a press briefing here
on Friday. Prakosa is the Minister of Forestry.

He suggested that people send information to P.O. Box 9000,
JKP 10900 should they know of cadres who abuse their power and
commit corruption. -- JP

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Golkar leader detained for graft
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Golkar leader detained for graft

BANDARLAMPUNG, Lampung: The secretary of the Golkar provincial
chapter in Lampung, Oktavianus, was placed under the custody of
the prosecutors' office on Friday for alleged corruption.

The suspect was sent to Rajabasa Penitentiary after hours of
questioning.

Lampung prosecutors' office deputy chief Darmono said
Oktavianus was accused of misusing Rp 15.8 billion (about US$1.7
million) in state funds allocated for literature, in cooperation
with another suspect Sutoto, the head of the province's education
office.

Darmono said Oktavianus was detained because he would not
cooperative during questioning and had defied three summons.

Sutoto has been in detention since earlier this year. - Antara

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FM to visit Myanmar, Thailand
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FM to visit Myanmar, Thailand

JAKARTA: Foreign minister Hassan Wirayuda is slated to visit
Myanmar and Thailand between April 1 and April 5 to discuss
several bilateral issues with the two fellow ASEAN members.

Foreign Ministry director for East Asia and Pacific Primo Alui
Joelianto said on Friday that during the Thai leg of the trip
Hassan would discuss efforts to strengthen economic ties and
other issues such as the exclusive economic zone.

Hassan will begin his trip in Myanmar, where he will stay
until April 3.

The minister is slated to meet high-ranking officials of both
countries.

"The discussion will focus more on economic ties with both
countries and several pending issues ...," Primo said.--JP

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New ambassadors present credentials
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New ambassadors present credentials

JAKARTA: President Megawati Soekarnoputri received the
credentials of the new ambassadors from Ghana and Tanzania on
Friday.

Ambassador John Bentu-Williams of Ghana is based in Kuala
Lumpur, while Ambassador Eva Lilian Nzaro of Tanzania is residing
in New Delhi.

The two envoys paid a courtesy call on the President following
the ceremony at Merdeka Palace, which was also attended by
Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda. --JP