Gus Dur supports

Gus Dur supports
Mustofa for NU chair

BANDUNG: Influential figure of the country's largest Muslim
Organization, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid,
announced his support on Monday for the nomination of cleric
Mustofa Bisri for the NU chairmanship.

Gus Dur said that Mustofa, who was also a renowned poet, was
the strongest contender among the candidates who would contest
the race for the NU chairmanship at the organization's congress,
slated to be held between Nov. 28 and Dec. 2, in Surakarta,
Central Java.

The cleric also said that Mustofa was the most suitable
candidate as he had a deep knowledge of religious teachings and
was willing to devote himself to the organization and the public
at large.

However, should Mustofa withdraw from the race, Gus Dur said
that former religious affairs minister Tolchah Hasan was ready to
be nominated. -- JP

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9 ministers yet to submit wealth reports
JP/4/SCENE

Nine ministers yet
to declare wealth

JAKARTA: Nine of the 32 members of the Cabinet have yet to
submit their wealth reports to the Corruption Eradication
Commission (KPK) despite the deadline set President Susilo
Bambang Yudhoyono.

M. Jasin, the deputy KPK chairman, said on Monday that
Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Widodo
Adi Sucipto had become the latest minister to submit his asset
declaration.

"We'll report them to the President if they fail to submit
their declarations by Dec. 20," he said without naming the
ministers who had yet to comply. -- JP

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Govt to set AGO watchdog
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AGO to submit names
of watchdog members

JAKARTA: Attorney General Abdul Rachman Saleh said on Monday
that he would present the names of candidate members and the
organizational structure of the proposed public prosecution
service commission to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in the
next two weeks.

After a meeting with Vice President Jusuf Kalla here on
Monday, Abdul Rachman said the commission was aimed at overseeing
the performance of prosecutors across the country.

"The President will appoint between seven and nine people to
sit as members of the commission, and, hopefully, this will
happen not long after I submit the names of the candidate
members," Abdul said.

The establishment of the commission is intended to help bring
about improvements in the integrity and probity of the country's
prosecutors.--JP

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Scene-TNI-supervision
Ministry to put TNI under civilian
JP/4/SCENE

Ministry to put
TNI under civilian

JAKARTA: The Ministry of Defense is currently drawing up a
blueprint that will serve as the foundation for formally placing
the Indonesian Military (TNI) under full civilian rule.

Minister of Defense Juwono Sudarsono said on Monday that a
team consisting of officials both from TNI headquarters and his
ministry were still discussing a scheme that would delineate the
individual powers and areas of authority of the two institutions.

Juwono said that the drafting of the blueprint had to be done
carefully so as not to stray from the Defense Law. "Both the TNI
chief and I have agreed that the change will need a transition
period and will have to be done meticulously," Juwono said. -- JP

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Constitution to get Balinese translation
JP/4/SCENE

Constitution to get
Balinese translation

DENPASAR, Bali: As part of an effort to bring the Constitution
closer to the people, the Constitutional Court is set to order
the translation of the Constitution into Balinese.

Constitutional Court President Jimly Asshidiqie said on Monday
that the translation would enable a wider audience to access the
country's basic law. "We believe that only highly educated people
understand the text," Jimly said after a meeting with Balinese
governor Dewa Beratha.

The translation into Balinese is part of a campaign by the
court to make the Constitution accessible to all ethnic groups in
the country. The constitution will also be translated into the
Javanese, Sundanese and Minang languages. -- JP

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Ministry to review regional bylaws
JP/4/SCENE

Minister to review
local govt regulations

JAKARTA: Minister of Home Affairs M. Ma'ruf said on Monday
that his ministry would continue its efforts to review local
government regulations that were shown to be causing problems for
investors.

"We are open to all suggestions. We will review regulations
that burden the business community and find solutions to the
various problems involved," the minister said.

He said that he would open discussions with all those
involved, such as business community and local administrations,
to ensure that the review would benefit everybody.

The business community has long been complaining that many
local regulations only serve to discourage investment. --Antara