Only 50% of HIV/AIDS patients detected

Only 50% of HIV/AIDS patients detected

JAKARTA: The Indonesian Humanitarian Committee (KKI) says only
50 percent of people with HIV/AIDS in the country have been
detected.

KKI foundation chairman Mar'ie Muhammad said on Friday that
most people with HIV/AIDS were reluctant to come forward, making
it the extent of the problem impossible for the government to
gauge.

"According to government data, the number of people with
HIV/AIDS stands at between 80,000 and 120,000 people. But I think
the real number is double the figure as most people are ashamed
to reveal their condition," said Mar'ie, who is also chairman of
the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) and a former finance minister.

Mar'ie said that the number of people with HIV/AIDS in big
countries like China, India and Indonesia tended to increase
steadily.

"Curbing the epidemic requires simultaneous, concerted
efforts," Mar'ie said.

The KKI, along with the private sector and state enterprises,
is active in conducting training to raise people's HIV/AIDS
awareness.

The KKI is currently collaborating with the State Savings Bank
(BTN). However previously, the KKI has also worked together with
PT Gudang Garam, PT Sampoerna and PT Djarum.

"These companies have large numbers of employees, who through
proper training could set an example and inform their friends and
neighbors of the dangers of HIV/AIDS," Mar'ie said.--Antara

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Navy boosts security in Maluku, Papua
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Security boosted in Maluku, Papua

SORONG, Papua: The Navy plans to deploy dozens of warships to
ensure security in Indonesian waters, especially off Maluku and
Papua.

Sorong Navy Base commander Maj. Kris Sri Hod told Antara on
Friday that his organization was optimistic of being able to
ensure security in the waters off Maluku and Papua, despite the
small number of naval vessels assigned to cover such a huge area.

He stressed, however, that the Navy had been successful in
educating and informing the public and the business community
about the need to report any violation of the law at sea, such as
foreign ships illegally entering Indonesian waters.

"We will also increase the frequency of our patrols at sea,"
he said.

According to Kris, the number of foreign ships entering
Indonesian waters had sharply decreased.

He explained that the Navy would allow all fishing companies
to operate in Maluku and Papua waters provided they preserved the
maritime environment and possessed the necessary permits.

He said that the Navy would not tolerate any use of bombs or
chemical substances for fishing.--Antara

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Lawmakers told to delay education bill

JAKARTA: Indonesian Communion of Churches (PGI) chairman
Nathan Setiabudi repeated his demand on Friday that lawmakers
delay the endorsement of the controversial national education
bill.

During a discussion on the bill on Friday, Nathan urged
religious leaders to sit down together and settle the problem.

Article 13 (1) of the bill obliges schools, including private
schools, to provide religious instruction according to the faith
of each student.

Nathan said the stipulation would affect the character of
private schools run by religious foundations.

The House of Representatives' education commission chairman
Taufiqurrahman said that the discussion of pros and cons in the
current era of democracy was normal.

Taufiq, a politician from the National Awakening Party (PKB),
added that all factions had expressed their agreement with the
bill and that it was expected to be endorsed in May. -- JP

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KPU to screen members of supervision committee
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KPU to screen members of supervision committee

Ramlan Surbakti, the deputy chairman of the General Elections
Commission (KPU), said on Friday that the commission would begin
the screening process of supervisory committee candidates between
April 12 and April 19.

"We have submitted letters to the National Police and the
Attorney General's Office, requesting them to nominate their
personnel as supervisory committee candidates," he said.

KPU is also selecting election commission members in the
country's 30 provinces and over 400 regencies.

The members of the central supervisory committee is to
comprise nine representatives taken from the National Police,
prosecutors, academicians, members of the press and community
members.

Ramlan said each member must be nonpartisan to ensure the
independence of the committee, and that all should be given leave
of absence from their jobs during their commitment with the
committee.

The central supervisory committee will then select members of
the supervisory committee at the provincial level, and the
provincial level will elect members for regental committee, and
so on until the district level.

Election supervisors are responsible for monitoring the
election process at every voting booth, including counting the
ballots.

The number of supervisory committee members at the provincial
level will vary depending on the population of the province.
Provinces that have over 10 million people are required to have a
seven-member committee, while those with a population of less
than 10 million are to have a five-member committee.

The KPU plans to screen and select members of the central
supervisory committee on April 19; the provincial on May 13; the
regental and municipal on June 5; and the district on June 20. --
JP