High waves ruin 100 homes

High waves ruin 100 homes

INDRAMAYU, West Java: High waves and strong winds have
severely damaged 100 nonpermanent houses belonging to fishermen
in Ujung Gebang, Indramayu, over the last two weeks.

The homes are no longer inhabitable and local fishermen have
fled to safer areas.

Big waves have also increased the erosion along coastal areas
in Sukra subdistrict in the regency.

Aspuri Ilyas, administrator of the Indramayu seaport, said
here on Thursday that the village was being pounded by big waves
and strong winds during the transition between the seasons.

"When the monsoon season is approaching, most people don't
fish because waves reach five meters in height while a strong
wind blows at a speed of between six knots and eight knots per
hour," he said, adding that he had coordinated with the local
administration to provide aid to those affected by the monsoon.
--JP

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Across-forests-East Java
East Java forests in critical condition
JP/5/Across

East Java forests in critical condition

SURABAYA: Twenty-three percent, or 300,000 hectares of
forested areas in East Java are in critical condition due to
rampant illegal logging, land clearance and the absence of a
serious reforestation program, says Governor Imam Utomo.

"I order law enforcers to act against plunderers of forests to
stop the rampant illegal logging," he said during the
inauguration of a hall belonging to state-owned PT Perhutani here
on Thursday.

He said around 150,000 hectares of forested areas in Lumajang
and Pasuruan regencies had been deforested because of rampant
looting and the absence of a reforestation program.

"The two regencies are likely to be prone to flooding during
the rainy season because of the absence of catchment areas," he
said.

Subagyo, chief of the local office of Perhutani, concurred and
said Perhutani had allocated Rp 40 billion to finance a
regreening program in the province. --JP

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Across-Bugis-Nurdin Halid
Bugis tribe rejects Nurdin Halid
JP/5/Across

Bugis tribe rejects Nurdin Halid

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: Some 20 Bugis tribal leaders
performed a traditional ritual, locally known as Pepepepe to
reject Nurdin Halid's nomination by the local chapter of Golkar
Party for the province's governor for the 2003-2008 period.

The ritual performed at the provincial legislative council
building, started with the burning of gum benzoin placed inside
six incense boxes. Coconut meat was put on several pieces of
betel vine leaves with six candles.

A senior tribal leader uttered words, asking the legislative
body to reject Nurdin's candidacy.

The tribal leaders oppose Nurdin's candidacy because of the
controversy surrounding him.

Nurdin was acquitted by the South Sulawesi Higher Court in
1998 after the district court found him guilty of corruption in
the clove trade in the province.

A number of factions have named their candidates for the
gubernatorial election that will be held by the end of this year.
--JP