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
;JP;RMS; ANPAa..r.. 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
;JP;RMS; ANPAa..r.. 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