Surabaya zoo out of place

SURABAYA: East Java Governor Basofi Soedirman said the huge zoological park in Surabaya's town center seems out of place but fell short of calling to have it removed.

Basofi said the huge park with its shady trees, some dating more than 100 years back, is crucial to the city's environment, the Antara news agency reported.

The Wonokromo zoo with its 14 hectare park area is the largest in Southeast Asia. Its collection of 450 species is the most complete that it has often been used as a place for scientific research and also for captive breeding.

The Surabaya municipality is currently building a new zoo in the west of the city but it is not immediately clear whether it will be used to accommodate the animals in Wonokromo.

Basofi said if the zoo is moved, the park should be retained and could perhaps be converted into a park for various birds, which are already making their habitats there. (emb)

;JP;EMB; ANPAa..r.. Across-Ambon-allies Britons honor war heroes JP/2/ACROSS

Britons honor war heroes

AMBON, Maluku: Some 50 Britons took part in a ceremony to honor the heroes of World War II at the Commonwealth Cemetery in Tantui on Thursday.

The brief and solemn ceremony was led by priest J.M. Van de Made and was also attended by British Ambassador to Indonesia Graham Burton, the Antara news agency reported.

The delegation from Britain comprised a number of war veterans and relatives of those who died fighting against the Japanese. Marshal Michael Armitage, the chief of the Royal Air Force, is heading the delegation.

Around 800 Britons who died in the war are buried in the cemetery. (emb)

;JP;EMB; ANPAa..r.. Across-Surakarta-mayor Surakarta elects new mayor JP/2/ACROSS

Surakarta votes new mayor

SURAKARTA, Central Java: Surakarta has voted Col. Imam Soetopo, who once served as chief of the city's military command, as its new mayor for the period 1995-2000.

Imam won 38 votes at the election held at the city council on Thursday, according to Antara. The other candidates, Ichwan Dardiri and Soebadyo received three votes each.

The result of the election will be sent to the Minister of Home Affairs in Jakarta for his approval.

;JP;EMB; ANPAa..r.. Across-Demak-crash Three killed in road accident JP/2/ACROSS

Three killed in road accident

DEMAK, Central Java: Three people were killed and 13 others injured when two passenger busses collided head-on Thursday.

The accident occurred at Demak highway, the Antara news agency reported.

Witnesses said that Karya Jaya bus was trying to overtake a truck at the time when it suddenly found itself face-to-face with an Aladin bus coming from the opposite direction. A collision was unavoidable.

The Aladin bus suffered the worst damage as it slammed into a tree after the collision. The three dead victims were from Aladin.

;JP;EMB; ANPAa..r.. Across-Aceh-rebels Aceh separatists on trial JP/2/ACROSS

Aceh separatists on trial

BANDA ACEH, Aceh: The district court in Lhokseumawe on Thursday opened the trial of five members of the Aceh Merdeka, a group which is seeking to establish a separate state in the province.

The five were tried in two separate trials, according to Antara.

The government prosecutors charged the defendants of taking part in activities to establish a separate state.

These include planting and selling marijuana to raise funds for the group as well as supplying logistics for the members. One of the defendants is considered the group's food minister. (emb)

;JP;EMB; ANPAa..r.. Across-Batam-housing Batam priority for housing JP/2/ACROSS

Batam priority for housing

PEKANBARU, Riau: The industrial designated island of Batam is one of the areas in Indonesia that receives top priority for low cost housing development.

State Minister for People's Housing Akbar Tandjung said Batam's rapid economic growth must be accompanied by equally rapid development of housing facilities.

Akbar said that at a recent meeting with the Batam Development Authority, the autonomous administrative agency agreed to assist in the housing development program, according to Antara.

Akbar made his remark at a meeting with cooperative leaders in Pekanbaru.

One of the cooperative leaders raised the issue of the deplorable housing conditions in Batam, pointing out that some teachers and government workers have become squatters in state properties. (emb)

;JP;EMB; ANPAa..r.. Across-Medan-eviction Hundreds evicted in Medan JP/2/ACROSS

Hundreds evicted in Medan

MEDAN, North Sumatra: Hundreds of people were forcefully evicted from their homes on Jl. Irian Barat by a municipality team on Thursday.

The eviction came four years after the first notice was sent, telling them to clear out of the area.

Most of the residents were pensioners of the state railway company PJKA. Ironically, the eviction order came from their former employers who plan to sell the plot to a real estate developer.

"We're only asking for justice and a sense of humanitarianism. We gave our lives to Perumka and lived in these houses, and now we're being treated like this," said Azwar Nasution, one of the residents affected.

The authorities said the residents have already been paid by Perumka to leave the area.

The residents, however, said that the amount of compensation was set arbitrarily and that they were not consulted beforehand. (emb)