No terrorist network in NTT: Police

No terrorist network in NTT: Police

KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: Although threats have been
increasing against the local administration, the East Nusa
Tenggara (NTT) Police says that they have detected no terrorist
networks that could jeopardize the political stability in the
province.

"The police have detected the increasing terror threat and
acts against the local administration over the last two months,
but they were an expression of certain parties' disappointment
with the government.

"The people should not panic, as we have so far not uncovered
any terrorist cells or networks operating in the province. But we
are still enhancing security at public buildings and centers,"
NTT Provincial Police Chief Brig. Gen. Edward Aritonang said on
Friday in the capital of Kupang.

Many public offices have been pelted with stones, and local
officials have recently received anonymous threats for
unspecified reasons.

Aritonang said police were still hunting those who were behind
the threats and violence, since it was believed they were still
in the city. -- JP

;JP;RMS;
ANPAa..r..
Across-crash-West Java
Public minivan catches fire, one dies
JP/5/Across13

Fishermen still missing in Kupang waters

KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: Local police are still searching
for five fishermen who went missing mysteriously on Aug. 13 in
Kupang waters.

Provincial Police Chief Brig. Gen. Edward Aritonang said on
Friday that the police had deployed dozens of officers to search
for the five fishermen, all residents of Namosain, Alak district,
but the search has been fruitless.

Besides searching along the coastal areas of the province, the
police have also coordinated with the West Nusa Tenggara police,
as well as East Timor and Australian authorities.

Asia Muin, the wife of Muhammad Taher, one of the five
fishermen, said she feared that her husband and the four others
had drowned in the rough seas that capsized their motorboat while
fishing. -- JP

;JP;RMS;
ANPAa..r..
Across-crash-West Java
Public minivan catches fire, one dies
JP/5/Across13

48 factories suspend operations

SURABAYA, East Java: Amid the prolonged drought in East Java,
48 fertilizer factories have suspended their operations, as
farmers have been unable to work their land and are waiting for
the dry season to end.

Chairman of the Association of small- and medium-scale
fertilizer producers Noer Soetjipto said on Friday in Surabaya
that the figure was expected to increase in the next two months,
as the rainy season was forecast to arrive in early December.

"Many factories have stored products in their warehouses,
waiting for the dry season to end, at which time the farmers are
expected to resume their activities," he said, saying the
companies had laid off some of their workers to minimize their
operational cost.

He said the lay-off was a must, as otherwise, the companies
owner would pay around Rp 108 million per month for their
employees' salaries

Local farmers have being facing a massive crop failure, since
tens of thousands of hectares of rice plants have died from the
drought. -- JP