Mon, 15 Sep 2003

RI to attend money laundering meet

AMBON, Maluku: Indonesia will send a delegation to a conference on money laundering in Hong Kong on Sept. 16, a government official said here on Saturday.

"Soon after I hand over my position as the acting governor of Maluku to my successor, I will leave for Hong Kong via Jakarta along with eight other officials," Inspector General of the Ministry of Home Affairs Sinyo Sarundajang said.

Home minister Hari Sabarno is to install on Monday Brig. Gen. (ret) Karel Ralahalu and Mohammad Abdullah Latuconsina as Maluku governor and deputy governor, respectively.

Sarundajang was appointed Maluku acting governor on Dec. 11, 2002, to replace Saleh Latuconsina. -- Antara

;JP;SPS; ANPAa..r.. Scene-PTDI-rehiring 5,300 employees of PT DI returned selection forms JP/4/scen14

5,300 join PTDI reemployment test

BANDUNG: By the final deadline late Friday evening, 5,300 of 9,400 suspended employees of state-owned aircraft manufacturer PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) had submitted their forms for the company's selection test.

The company is seeking to rehire 3,400 employees through a selection process, following its mass lay-off in May.

PTDI president director Muhammad Nuril Fuad said on Saturday that many of the employees who did not return the forms had found new jobs. He said some of them had told him personally that they had found jobs at other companies.

Others had boycotted the test to protest the earlier suspension.

He said employees who had undergone fit and proper tests for overseas study programs would be exempted from the selection tests, if they wished to remain with the company. -- Antara

;JP;SPS; ANPAa..r.. Scene-Karimata-park Next Bunaken in Karimata JP/4/scen14

Another sea park found in Karimata

PONTIANAK, West Kalimantan: The clear water and diversity of coral reef ecosystems around the Karimata islands in West Kalimantan could match those at Bunaken sea park in North Sulawesi, an official said.

Bunaken has long been known as a prominent tourist destination for scuba diving and snorkeling because of its beautiful waters.

Karimata boasts a similar diversity in fish and coral reefs as in Bunaken, said Budi Suriansyah from the West Kalimantan branch of the Natural Resources Conservation Office (KSDA).

Karimata is also blessed with coral reefs surrounded by three atolls, which makes it an attractive location for diving, even during the monsoon season.

Budi regretted, however, that the local administration and business community had not made efforts to explore the tourism potential of the area. -- Antara