RI could emulate South Africa
JAKARTA: Minister of Defense Matori Abdul Djalil said on Thursday Indonesia could implement a South African-type of reconciliation to solve the country's multidimensional crisis.
"Indonesia once assisted South Africa, especially the African National Congress. Now Indonesia could learn from their reconciliation experience," Matori said after receiving South African Ambassador to Indonesia N.M. Mashabane at his office on Thursday.
South Africa granted impunity to military generals and other human rights violators in 1994 in the name of reconciliation, to allow the country to focus on rebuilding its shattered economy.
During the meeting on Thursday, Matori and Mashabane discussed bilateral relations between the two countries, as well as regional and international cooperation. -- JP
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Aceh talks to resume end of April
JAKARTA: Indonesian officials and representatives from the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) will gather for another round of peace talks in Geneva, Switzerland at the end of the month, Aceh governor Abdullah Puteh said on Thursday.
Thus far, no date has been confirmed as there is a possibility that the talks could be held in early May. The Geneva-based Henry Dunant Center will mediate the discussion.
Abdullah stressed, however, that the talks must remain within the framework of the unitary state of Indonesia and the Aceh special autonomy status.
Abdullah was briefing reporters on a visit by three Jakarta- based officials of the United Nations' Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs -- humanitarian coordinator Bo Asplund, his deputy Michael Elmquist and Aceh coordinator Enayet Madani.
The government granted special autonomy to Aceh last year which allows the staunch Muslim region to implement Islamic law and to retain a much greater share of oil and gas revenues.
In the last talks in February, GAM, who has been fighting for an independent state since 1976, agreed to discuss the special autonomy status as a starting point but did not relinquish their demand for independence.-- AFP
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Education officials to lose posts
JAKARTA: In a bid to improve efficiency, Minister of National Education Abdul Malik Fadjar is restructuring the Ministry of Education, causing 241 officials to lose positions.
Ministry personnel bureau head Muji Yusuf said it was introducing the new structure before its expected implementation next month.
In the new structure, there will be seven first echelon staff, 47 second echelon staff, 174 third echelon staff and 410 fourth echelon officials, plus five staff experts of the minister.
Ministry secretary general Mahmuri Muklas said those who would be excluded from the structure might take up other functional jobs as librarians, human resources analysts, auditors or project administrators.
He said the ministry was looking at the possibility of maintaining structural allowances for the outgoing officials until December. -- Antara