Farmers cut down clove trees
CIANJUR, West Java: Thousands of clove trees in Cibinong district, Cianjur regency, were cut down on Saturday by farmers just before the cloves were to be harvested.
The farmers took this action because of the drastic decrease in clove prices in the regency, which are established by local brokers.
Dried cloves usually sell for Rp 70,000 (US$8.60) per kilogram, but farmers can now only get Rp 13,000 per kilogram for the cloves.
Fresh cloves used to fetch Rp 25,000 per kilogram but that price has plummeted to only Rp 3,000 per kilogram.
The head of the Cianjur Clove Association, Ajet Mujijat, called on the regency administration to help the farmers establish more favorable prices with local brokers. -- Antara
;JP;YAN;ANTARA; ANPAa..r.. Across-Mataram-study-free Students in Mataram study for free JP/5/ACROSS
Students in Mataram study for free
MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: The Mataram mayoralty has ruled that local junior high school and high school students will not have to pay registration fees this year.
Mayoralty spokesman Bondan Wisnujadi said on Saturday he did not yet know the exact number of students affected by the policy, but that it would reach into the thousands. He added that the new policy was a demonstration of the administration's concern for students.
The registration fees range from between Rp 7,500 and Rp 10,000 per student. Apart from the fees, students also have to pay enrollment fees and tuition. -- Antara
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Climbers banned from Mt. Slamet
PEMALANG, Central Java: The Mount Slamet observation post in Gambuhan village, Pemalang regency, has banned all climbers and trekkers from the area due to increasing volcanic activity at the mountain.
Sukedi, a member of the observation post, said on Saturday the ban was decided on following a recent earthquake near the mountain.
The last time Mount Slamet erupted was on July 12 and July 13 in 1998.
"We are concerned an eruption like the one five years ago could happen again. So we have banned all climbing and trekking activities to avoid any fatalities," Sukedi said. -- Antara
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Charity night for Acehnese children
SURABAYA: Noted pop singer Chrisye and entertainer Dorce will highlight a charity night to raise funds for Acehnese children at the Shangri-La Hotel here on July 26.
The spokesman for the organizing committee, Anom Surahno, said on Saturday tickets for the event would cost Rp 250,000.
Organizing committee secretary Erick Tahalele said the money raised would be used to help Acehnese children who could not continue their studies because their schools had been burned down.
About 500 schools in Aceh have been burned down since a military operation was launched in the province. The Indonesian Military has blamed the Free Aceh Movement for the arson attacks. -- Antara