Sleman to build off-campus dorm

YOGYAKARTA: The Sleman Administration in Yogyakarta province is planning to build a number of modest apartments for students.

"We will build a student apartment of 96 rooms this year, located not far from campus," local settlement and regional infrastructure office head Yuni Zafria said on Saturday.

She said Sleman had prepared land and facilities needed for the project, which would be financed by the central government.

The off-campus dormitory is urgently needed, as about 200,000 non-resident students rented local accommodation, Yuni said.

From a comparative study in Cirebon, West Java, in which she took part earlier, Yuni found that apartments in this port city were operated by a Regional Development Company (PDP) appointed by the local municipal administration.

According to information provided by the managing director of the Cirebon PDP, Early Fasini, the four-story apartments built in 1997 has a capacity of 96 rooms with an average occupancy of 70 percent.

Occupants generally come from the lower to middle classes, and stay there for a minimum one month and a year maximum. -- Antara

;JP;KDA; ANPAa..r.. Across-cyanide-mining Police seize cyanide in Manado JP/5/ACROSS

Police seize cyanide in Manado

MANADO, North Sulawesi: The North Sulawesi Police have seized around 68 barrels of cyanide during a routine patrol of North Sulawesi waters.

North Sulawesi Police chief Brig. Gen. Jhon Lalo said on Saturday the chemical was expected to be used by illegal miners to mine gold.

"The police will thoroughly investigate the case and will take action against those involved, regardless of who they are," he vowed.

Separately, North Sulawesi Police spokesman Adj. Sr. Comr. Budi Wibowo Sumantri said the dozens of drums of cyanide were confiscated in a routine operation by the Manado Water and Air police off a boat on Thursday.

The police were questioning the captain of the boat, identified only by his initials AL, a Filipino, he said.

Police intend to conduct a thorough investigation, particular to determine whether the confiscated chemical could be used in making bombs. -- Antara

;JP;KDA; ANPAa..r.. Across-magazine-fashion Governor to publish fashion magezine JP/5/ACROSS

Governor to publish fashion magezine

KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: Despite his full load in running the local administration, Southeast Sulawesi Governor Ali Mazi has decided to make time to publish a fashion magazine.

"Before becoming governor, I had a fashion magazine in Jakarta. But it stopped publication because of some problems. So, I'll just republish it," he said in Kendari on Saturday.

Ali said the magazine had nothing to do with his position as governor. "It is strictly my private business and I will finance it personally, not from the budget."

The governor, who was elected to his current post last year, added that he was looking for a color printing machine.

"Southeast Sulawesi is not as developed as certain areas in Java, but the local people have a high interest in this type of magazine. Just look at the fashion magazines published in the capital -- they're selling well here," Ali said.

He said he was optimistic that the magazine would sell well, not only in Kendari, but also in other cities across the nation. -- Antara

;ANTARA; ANPAa..r.. Across-maritime-forum ali to host regional maritime forum JP/05/ACROSS

Bali to host regional maritime forum

DENPASAR, Bali: Some 300 delegates from 35 Asia-Pacific countries are to take part in an international conference on maritime affairs and fisheries, which will be held here from April 19 to April 24, a local official said on Saturday.

Eleven regional and international institutions will also attend the six-day event, Bali fisheries office head Ida Bagus Wisnawa Manuba said.

Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Rokhmin Dahuri is to open the Conference for the Establishment of Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission.

Wisnawa said delegates to the international conference will form an intercountry cooperation to conserve and maximize resources in the fishery sector.

He expressed a hope that the conference would pave the way for an increase in the earnings of fishermen and coastal people. -- Antara