JP/7/acros04

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