;JP;ARP; ANPAa..r.. Across-jailbreak-warden Chief warden replaced after jailbreak JP/5/across Warden fired over jailbreak scandal
BANDARLAMPUNG, Lampung: The Lampung regional justice office has fired East Lampung's Sukadana penitentiary chief Heru Setiana for negligence leading to the mass breakout last week.
At least 45 unguarded prisoners escaped through a series of unlocked doors as they were served pre-dawn meals.
Four wardens have been declared suspects for letting the prisoners escape, while demotion was proposed for six others for leaving the main gate unlocked.
As head of the prison, Heru, now replaced by Suprapto, was also blamed for leaving the inmates unguarded.
A special team investigating the case questioned 11 security officers and 14 prisoners, including 4 recaptured prisoners, on Friday.
The Lampung police discovered a number of irregularities during their investigation, including three doors left unlocked and the strange absence of guards. --JP
;JP;FAL; ANPAa..r.. Across-ETimor-crossborder Belu police detain 17 Timorese JP/5/Across Belu police detain 17 Timorese
KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: Belu police have arrested at least 17 East Timor citizens since Tuesday for illegally entering Indonesia.
East Nusa Tenggara Police spokesman Comr. I Wayan Dana said on Friday that most of the East Timorese came from Bobonaro district.
"They entered Indonesian territory through the village of Tohe, Reinhat district in Belu regency without the proper immigration documents." Dana said.
"It is firmly believed they crossed the border to see their relatives who are still seeking refuge in Belu. We're making arrangements with related parties for their deportation." he added. -- JP
;JP;DEB; ANPAa..r.. Across-Poso-rice NGO turns down free rice JP/5/ACROSS NGO against free rice distribution
PALU, Central Sulawesi: A non-governmental organization is refusing to disburse 600 tons of rice aid from the Italian government because it says doing so will make the recipients lazy.
Sehati Foundation chairman Iskandar Lamuka rejected the plan from the Central Sulawesi Social Affairs Office to distribute the aid, earmarked for people in the conflict-ravaged province.
He said doing so would make the people lazy and reliant on aid.
"We have accomplished half of the recovery program so the situation is improving. Therefore the government should stop giving free handouts because it will not discipline the people," he said.
Iskandar said the rice should instead be distributed to government workers involved in the development programs.
"The people should be motivated to take the initiative to revive their economic potential so that they empower themselves," he said.
The rice has been stored in the provincial warehouse. --Antara
;JP;DEB; ANPAa..r.. Across-Surabaya-strike Female workers strike over bonus JP/5/ACROSS 10,000 women demand equality
SURABAYA, East Java: Kediri police doubled its presence on Friday at cigarette maker PT Gudang Garam in Kediri, East Java to monitor 10,000 female workers striking over holiday bonuses.
Kediri Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Fatkhur Rahman said that there were some 750 security personnel deployed on Friday to maintain security and order during the strike, in its second day.
"We increased the police and military presence to anticipate any trouble. But, thank God, so far there has been no serious problems except for a minor incident yesterday (Thursday)."
The striking workers were hired on a permanent basis last year after working for the company as temporary workers for between 10 and 15 years. They demanded equal treatment with other workers, including being paid holiday bonuses.
Fatkhur said police would not get involved in settling the dispute. "Our job is to protect the parties and maintain security," he said. --Antara