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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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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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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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

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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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