Farmers cut down clove trees

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

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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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Across-climbers-banned-MtSlamet
Climbers banned from Mt. Slamet
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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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Across-charity-night-Acehnese
Charity night for Acehnese children
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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