RI wants Myanmar to quit 'bugging'
JAKARTA: The government urged Yangon on Wednesday to respond actively in regards the suspected tapping of the Indonesian Embassy to Myanmar.
"We expect Myanmar to take corrective action, as we have strong indications that our embassy has been bugged. We have lodged a clear objection to Yangon," Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda said.
Myanmar had claimed to have a very old telecommunications system that may have appeared as a tapping system, he said.
"But we all know that it is very easy to unplug a bugging system. I believe Myanmar will simply deny the allegation," Hassan remarked. -- JP
;JP;DJA; ANPAa..r.. Mega-gender Mega urges gender equality JP/4/MEGA
Megawati urges gender equality
SERANG, Banten: President Megawati Soekarnoputri called on Wednesday for equal opportunities for women, as they made up the majority of the population.
Speaking at an event commemorating World Population Day, which fell on July 11, she underlined that empowering women meant improving the nation's welfare.
Women should have a greater role in development programs, she said. "We have to improve women's education, health and skills. But we also have to improve protection for them."
Megawati, the first woman president of Indonesia, is highly likely to be up for reelection in the presidential run-off on Sept. 20.
She began speaking out on gender and women's rights issues after being criticized heavily for ignoring women's problems in the country. -- JP
;JP;MTR; ANPAa..r.. Polls-Alzaytun-protest
Al-Zaytun 'residents' protest vote-rigging
JAKARTA: Dozens of protesters claiming to be residents in the vicinity of Al-Zaytun Islamic boarding school in Indramayu, West Java, staged a rally on Wednesday at the central General Elections Commission (KPU) over an alleged voter mobilization during the presidential election.
They said voters from outside Al-Zaytun were called in to cast ballots in favor of Golkar candidate Gen. (ret) Wiranto.
"The vote-rigging had been planned long before election day and was carried out with the consent of the Indramayu regent and 20 district heads," a protester argued.
;JP;NFK; ANPAa..r.. Poll-Delay-Sumatra
JP/5/scene15
Villages hold delayed polls
MEDAN, North Sumatra: Seven remote villages in South Nias regency have held a delayed presidential election after they were hindered by bad weather on July 5, North Sumatra General Elections Commission (KPU) chairman Irham Buana Nasution said on Wednesday.
"Poll officials are now counting the votes manually and the outcome will be sent to the KPU South Nias office," he said.
The seven villages are: Labuhan Lima, Lama, Gobo, Mafua, Silima, Gandria and Baluta.
Villagers were unable to cast their votes on July 5 because a boat carrying ballot papers could not complete the distribution due to strong waves at sea. -- Antara