Govt wants less political parties

JAKARTA: Home Affairs Minister Hari Sabarno said the government would like to see only a small number of political parties to contest the 2004 general election.

"We hope there will be a small number of political parties (to contest elections), otherwise it will confuse the people," he said on Saturday.

Asked if the minister had an idea on the ideal number of elections contestants, Hari simply said he would let the people decide.

Those not eligible for election, Hari said, should become mass organizations.

A total of 225 political parties have registered with the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights. Those parties have to meet tough requirements before contesting the elections. -- Antara

Bali hospital gets A$8,100

DENPASAR, Bali: The Australia Indonesia Association (AIA) donated A$8,100 to Denpasar's Sanglah general hospital (RSUP) to help with the treatment of numerous victims of the Bali bombings.

The donation was handed over by education attache of the Indonesian embassy in Canberra Wahdi Yudhi to RSUP director Lanang Rudiartha here on Sunday.

The money was collected in a fundraising ceremony on Nov. 27 in Canberra. "May it benefit the hospital in improving public services," Wahdi said.

He added that the association would also cooperate with the Indonesian embassy in Canberra to boost tourism promotions in Sidney in March next year.

The promotions would be aimed at reviving the image of Bali which was shattered by the terrorist attacks which killed more than 190 people, and targeted young, Western holidaymakers.

The hospital earlier this month also received an award from the United Nations for its readiness to deal with victims of the Bali blasts. -- Antara

Expatriates must understand Bahasa

KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: All foreigners working in Indonesia would soon have to understand and be able to communicate in Bahasa Indonesia, a Cabinet minister said.

Manpower and Transmigration Minister Jacob Nuwa Wea claimed on Sunday that the ability of foreigners to understand Bahasa Indonesia was important for communication with others here.

"I'll try my best to require foreign workers learn Bahasa Indonesia to communicate with their domestic servants," Jacob said.

The regulation will be discussed soon at the Cabinet level.

According to the minister, other countries like Saudi Arabia also impose an obligation on Indonesian workers to understand local languages.

The minister, who hails from the province urged local youths to develop their ability in foreign languages. He promised to provide donations for that. -- Antara

Luwu allocates funds for conservation

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: The North Luwu administration in South Sulawesi has allocated Rp 1.5 billion (US$166,000) for rehabilitation of beaches in the areas of Malangke, Malili and Bonebone.

North Luwu Regent Luthfy A. Mutty said on Sunday that the beaches in those districts were in an alarming condition as mangrove forests were cut down due to uncontrolled development of coastal ponds.

Luthfy said the rehabilitation program would be the best solution to save the critical mangrove forests stretching more than 100 kilometers up the coast.

North Luwu regency was known for its fishery industry. Apart from shrimp and fish, the regency also produces seaweed. -- Antara

;JP; ANPAa..r.. Across-NGO-park NGOs reject Lampung safari park JP/5/across23

NGOs reject Lampung safari park

BANDARLAMPUNG, Lampung: Several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) dealing with environmental conservation have opposed the East Lampung regency administration's plan to convert part of the Way Kambas National Park (TNWK) into a tourist attraction.

Mukri Priyatna, executive director of Lampung branch of the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi), said here on Saturday that his organization had joined other NGOs affiliated with the local Monitoring Network in opposing the plan.

He said the Network was deeply concerned over possible environmental destruction in the 300-hectare national park, should the protected forest be turned into a tourist resort like the safari park in Bogor, West Java.

"The project might also be opposed by local people as they have conserved the forest, while investors will not automatically be able to protect the area," Mukri added. --Antara

E. Java could lose Rp 300b from Taiwan

SURABAYA, East Java: East Java may lose at least Rp 300 billion in foreign exchange should Taiwan sever its economic ties with Indonesia following Jakarta's rejection of President Chen Sui-bian's visit to Yogyakarta.

Head of the provincial manpower office, M. Djaelani, said in Surabaya over the weekend that Taiwan was the fourth biggest destination for Indonesian workers hailing from East Java after Hong Kong, Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam.

The number of Indonesian workers from East Java employed in Taiwan was almost 6,000, he said.

"If about 70 percent of the Indonesian workers in Taiwan remit their salaries to their hometowns, East Java will earn about Rp 300 billion in foreign exchange," Djaelani added.

He also said that in the first quarter of this year, around 12,000 people from East Java were recruited to work in Hong Kong, 9,000 in Malaysia and 7,000 others in Brunei Darussalam. --Antara

Roeslan warns of old forces' comeback

SURABAYA, East Java: Former foreign minister Roeslan Abdulgani says that the nation was now in peril with status quo forces trying to restore the New Order regime as the strength of the pro-reform forces faltered.

Speaking at a national seminar titled Prospects for Indonesia 2003-2004 in the East Java capital of Surabaya, the prominent nationalist figure during the era of first president Sukarno pointed out that the tug of war between the two forces was reflected in the various conflicts and acts of violence taking place around the country.

"Meanwhile, some 80 million people are living under the poverty line, and as the economic crisis is not yet over, the figure could rise to 101.7 million people," Roeslan said.

The situation would be exacerbated by the fact that the number of unemployed this year had reached between 20 million and 25 million," he added.

As conditions deteriorated, he said, the country's foreign debt had reached US$140 billion, while the debt service ratio had risen to 49.3 percent. This meant that almost half of the country's export earnings would be used for debt repayments.

"The fall of the international communist system and the wave of globalization have strengthened global capitalism, which inevitable affects the Indonesian economy," he said. --Antara

Food get Muslim blessing

BENGKULU, Sumatra: A number of 45 small and medium-sized food and beverage businesses received the halal (acceptable by Islamic law) certification from the Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI).

The certification was given after an assessment of the raw materials, the production process and packaging of the products.

Chairman of Bengkulu's chapter of MUI Adismar Amnur said on Sunday that his office would assess several other businesses.

The certificates ensure that the products do not break any Muslim laws and therefore can be eaten. With the issuance of the certificates, MUI and police officers have the right to randomly inspect the products anytime.

"Those who receive certificates say that more people buy their products," Adismar added.

Examinations and certification of each product costs between Rp 200,000 and Rp 500,000, he said. - Antara

Kiemas acts as marriage witness

SURABAYA, East Java: President Megawati's husband Taufik Kiemas appeared on Sunday at the Al Akbar mosque in Surabaya to witness the marriage of Nurman Setiawan Fajar, the third son of education minister Abdul Malik Fajar.

The wedding of Nurman and Amalia Ratnavitriani was also witnessed by Religious Affairs Minister Said Agil Husein Al Munawar.

Taufik arrived at Juanda Airport at 7 a.m. and was greeted by Governor Imam Utomo, East Java military chief Maj. Gen. A.D. Sikki, Police chief Insp. Gen. Heru Susanto, and City mayor Bambang D.H. -- Antara