JP/4/Scene1 IPB wants people to eat fruit

JAKARTA: The Bogor Agriculture Institute (IPB) is teaming up with the Ministry of Agriculture's directorate general of horticulture to launch a national movement for fruit and vegetable consumption in a bid to promote a healthier diets.

IPB rector Ahmad Ansori Matjjik said on Wednesday that such a campaign was important as many people now have a consumption pattern, which relies heavily on "processed food."

The plan was discussed during a meeting with government officials at the university's campus in Bogor, West Java.

Ahmad added that the national movement would also help promote the consumption of locally produced fruit and vegetables. -- Antara

;JP; ANPAa..r.. Scene-nurdin-halid

JP/4/Scene Nurdin faces new graft charges

JAKARTA: Prosecutors demanded that Nurdin Halid, the chairman of state-owned cooperatives association Inkud, be imprisoned for eight years on corruption charges involving illegal importation of rice.

The first hearing on the case was held at the North Jakarta District Court on Wednesday.

Two other Inkud senior officials including president director Khiruddin Nur and manager Achmad Subadio Lamo were also named suspects.

The case centers on the import of some 59,100 tons of rice valued at Rp 40 billion (US$2.25 million) from Vietnam in 2003 by Inkud and its partner, a private company called PT Hexatama Finindo.

Prosecutors charged that Inkud and Hexatama had violated customs regulations and did not pay any import duty fees for the rice.

Nurdin is also facing another court case, for his alleged role in the illegal importation of sugar. -- JP