JP/7/acros04
Foreign used cars flood Batam
BATAM: Riau: Used cars from Singapore and Japan continue to flood the industrial island of Batam in Riau province, causing traffic jams to increase in the city.
Local customs and excise officials and automotive businessmen say that at least 500 used cars, mostly sedans, enter Batam every month.
This means an additional 6,000 vehicles enter the crowded city every year. The situation has made traffic jams unavoidable and creates inconvenience for motorists.
The importation of used vehicles is permitted under a decree issued by the Batam administration following the implementation of the regional autonomy law.
The city's government has also approved a plan to import another 1,000 used sedans to be used as taxis, claimed local taxi driver Siregar. --Antara
Mega to dedicate thermal power plant
BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan: President Megawati Soekarnoputri will make a two-day working visit to South Kalimantan on Feb. 8 to dedicate the Asam-Asam thermal power plant in Tanah Laut district.
The secretary of the South Kalimantan administration, H. Baderani, said here on Saturday that the inauguration was discussed by the province's governor, Sjachriel Darham, and Megawati on Friday.
During her visit to Banjarmasin, the President will be accompanied by her husband, Taufik Kiemas, energy and mineral resources minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro and communications and information minister Syamsul Mu'arif, Baderani said. --Antara
Japan aids Papuans in Makassar
MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: The Japanese government will provide a US$58,923 grant to a local non-governmental organization to help improve the livelihood of Papuans living in the city's Kemtuk subdistrict.
A document on the Japanese commitment was signed at a ceremony here on Saturday by Japanese Consul General Yamashita Katsuo and the NGO's director, Deky Rumaropen.
Deky said his organization would use the aid to help improve the agricultural output of Papuans and other villagers in Kemtuk and the marketing of their products in urban centers.
Yamashita said the Japanese grant was aimed at improving the friendly relations between his country and Indonesia.
He said the living standards of people in the eastern regions of Indonesia were relatively lower than those of people in the western regions.
"Kemtuk community's welfare improvement program will be made a model for future programs," he added. --Antara
Minister wants autonomy law debate halted
MALANG, East Java: Minister of Home Affairs Hari Sabarno asked all parties on Saturday to stop debating proposed revisions to the existing laws on regional autonomy and fiscal balance between the central and regional governments.
Law No. 22/1999 on regional autonomy and Law. No 25/1999 on regional fiscal balance are being deliberated at the House of Representatives.
"In a democratic country, the pros and cons of a proposed concept, including that on revisions to laws No. 22 and 25, 1999 are natural," he said.
Hari said that differing views on the proposals should not be considered a protracted dispute.
Experts are divided on the need to amend the laws. Some who oppose the planned revisions argue that the move would only serve the interests of the central or regional governments.
But Hari denies this, saying: "The concept of regional autonomy is actually designed to improve the people's welfare only and not to serve the interests of the authorities". --Antara
Rp 3 million reward for tip-off
MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: The East Lombok district police chief has promised a Rp 3 million reward to anybody reporting the involvement of police officers in auto theft.
Adj. Sr. Comr. Wiguna said here on Saturday that the reward was intended to boost public participation and encourage people to combat crime.
The move is expected to restore the police's image, which has been tarnished by officers' involvement in various crimes.
Wiguna said he would give an additional Rp 1 million to anyone who gave solid evidence leading to the disclosure of officers involved in theft in his district.
"I want the people to prove their allegations, and I guarantee confidentiality," he added. --Antara