No poll monitors yet in Aceh

LHOKSEUMAWE, Aceh: The Aceh General Elections Commission (Aceh KPUD) stated on Saturday that no poll monitors, including foreign observers, had yet registered with them, although the March 11 electoral campaign period was fast approaching.

Aceh KPUD member Ridwan Ishak expressed his concern that poll violations would go unchecked in Aceh in the absence of poll monitors.

Many parties have already expressed doubts that the upcoming elections would be smooth, as the war-torn province was still under martial law, he said.

Yusuf Ismail Pase, a Regional Representatives Council member, said that poll observers were needed to show people that the elections in Aceh would be smooth, free and neutral. -- JP

;JP;ASA; ANPAa..r.. Palu-Donggala-teachers Teachers protest late salaries JP/5/PALU

Teachers protest late salaries

DONGGALA, Central Sulawesi: Some 40 teachers in Dolo district, Donggala regency, protested on Friday and Saturday at the office of the Dolo district head to demand their monthly salaries.

The teachers, hailing from several schools in the district, said their salaries should have been paid last Tuesday, but they still had not received any payment as of Saturday.

The protest has forced classes to be suspended at the expense of the students. -- JP