RI signs convention on migrant workers

NEW YORK: Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirajuda signed on Wednesday the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families on behalf of the Indonesian government.

Hassan said the signing proved Indonesia's commitment to protecting its migrant workers and their families, who reach some three million.

Indonesia joined 26 other signatories including the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

The convention is aimed at combating the illegal recruitment of migrant workers and employment of undocumented workers overseas. --JP

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Adrian defies police summons

JAKARTA: The main suspect in the Rp 1.7 trillion BNI scandal Adrian Waworuntu defied on Wednesday the police summons to appear for his official transfer to the custody of the prosecutor's office.

National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Paiman said the police would put Adrian on their wanted list if he failed to turn up by midnight on Wednesday.

However, National Police director for special crimes Brig. Gen. Samuel Ismoko said he believed Adrian was not evading justice but had other business to attend to.

"He cannot come to the police headquarters because he had something else to do. We will send him a second summons tomorrow. Believe me, he will turn up soon," said Ismoko. -- JP

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RI adopts pact to protect nonsmokers

JAKARTA: Indonesia has signed the Gyeongju Declaration on tobacco control among Asia-Pacific countries in a bid to protect nonsmokers.

"The declaration calls upon governments, business and individuals in Asia to protect nonsmokers from exposure to secondhand smoke and end all forms of direct and indirect tobacco advertisements," said pulmonologist Tjandra Yoga Aditama.

Tobacco is a major cause of death in the Asia-Pacific region, killing more than 5,000 people each day. Some 52 percent of the world's cigarettes are sold in Asia, while many Asian countries lack comprehensive laws on protection for nonsmokers.

The declaration capped the seventh Asia-Pacific Conference on Tobacco (APACT) held in Gyeongju, South Korea, from Sept. 15 to Sept. 18. --JP

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Institute opens American corner

MEDAN: Minister of Religious Affairs Said Agil Husin Al Munawar inaugurated on Tuesday "the American Corner" in the State Islamic Institute's (IAIN) library.

The section is expected to broaden the students' knowledge on the United States' stance toward Islam, representative from the U.S. Embassy Lewis Amselem said.

Located on the third floor of the library, the section has a collection of more than 1,150 U.S. journals in both CD and DVD form.

Lewis said the embassy planned to open another "American Corner" at the North Sumatra University. -- Antara