Govt issues decree on gas emission

Govt issues decree on gas emission

JAKARTA: Indonesians may expect to breathe fresher air
following the issuance of a ministerial decree on the tolerable
limit for gas emissions for new models of cars.

The decree, signed by State Minister for the Environment
Nabiel Makarim on Sept. 23, is aimed at increasing air quality in
the country, particularly in big cities, by imposing the Euro2
motor vehicle standard.

Nabiel said on Monday the regulation would be imposed on new
models of four-stroke motorcycles by July 1, 2006, and on cars
and two-stroke motorcycles being produced on Jan. 1, 2007.

All cars produced before the enactment of the decree on Jan.
1, 2005 must undergo a gas emission test by 2004.

The decree was issued to implement Government Regulation No.
41/1999 on air pollution control. -- JP

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Scene-Golkar-convention
Akbar upset by convention result
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Akbar upset by convention result

JAKARTA: Golkar Party chairman Akbar Tandjung acknowledged on
Monday that he was upset by the fact that some party's regional
chapters did not support his presidential bid.

"I am upset with this reality. I hope the condition will be
better in the national convention," Akbar told the media at the
House of Representatives here.

He was commenting on the result of Golkar's provincial-level
convention in which the party's provincial chapters in Central
Java, Yogyakarta and South Kalimantan did not support him.

Akbar, however, said he would continue his bid as he already
qualified for the national convention.

According to the convention rules, a candidate must win
support from at least five provincial chapters. Akbar won support
from Central Kalimantan, West Java, Jambi, Bangka Belitung and
West Kalimantan.

The party will short-list five presidential candidates during
a meeting between Oct. 17 and Oct. 19.

Akbar said his status as a graft convict had put him in a
difficult situation in his bid for presidency. He pleaded not
guilty despite the conviction. -- JP

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Ban demanded on VIP haj service
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Ban demanded on VIP haj service

JAKARTA: A team of lawmakers evaluating the services for
Indonesian haj pilgrims called on Monday for an end to first-
class services given to state officials while on pilgrimage.

The team suggested that the Indonesian Embassy in Saudi Arabia
focus on services for regular haj pilgrims.

"Extra services given to state officials in the past had been
provided by sacrificing services for regular pilgrims," said Heri
Akhmadi, deputy chairman of House Commission VI for haj and
education affairs.

There were more than 200 state officials, both from
legislative bodies and government institutions, requesting extra
facilities while they were making the haj pilgrimage in the last
season early this year. The first-class treatment was estimated
to reach Rp 5 billion, taken from the fees paid by the regular
pilgrims.

The Saudi Arabian government has allocated Indonesia with
205,000 pilgrims for the next haj season in February 2004. Heri
said 75 percent of them would share a housing complex, which,
although quite far from the Haram Grand Mosque in Mecca, provided
better facilities. -- JP