The dry season is coming

The dry season is coming

Rain has not fallen for several weeks in Jakarta and its
surrounding areas. The weather can no longer be predicted and the
natural weather pattern has apparently changed. Rain still fell
in several areas of Greater Jakarta in May when the dry season
began.

Heat waves hit several areas in parts of the northern
hemisphere this month, including in India where at least 100
people have died due to dehydration.

In Indonesia, forest fires, which always occur in the dry
season, have caused air pollution in Riau and Kalimantan. The
fires have also generated haze that disrupts flights in the
neighboring country of Malaysia. Drought has struck a large
number of rice fields in several areas in Java, interrupting the
planting season.

In such a dry season fire can easily break out anywhere.
Therefore, residents should be extra careful when using stoves.
Having the electricity connected to their homes is suggested.

Dry season-related diseases are also looming, especially in
slums and other densely populated residential areas. And last but
not least, the use of groundwater must decrease during the dry
season.

-- Warta Kota, Jakarta

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ANPAk..r..
Otherop-Indonesian-IMF-ties
Toward the end of Indonesian-IMF ties
JP/6/

Toward the end of Indonesian-IMF ties

The Indonesian people have been eagerly awaiting whether or
not the government would end its ties with the Washington-based
International Monetary Fund (IMF). Some quarters have said that
if the government extends its cooperation with the Fund, Jakarta
would likely be trapped again in the foreign money lender's
interests.

However, if Indonesia ends its ties with the IMF, is Jakarta
ready to anticipate another economic crisis without the IMF's
help?

National Development Planning Board chairman, Kwik Kian Gie,
expressed his confidence that Indonesia is ready to face the
consequences to pay all its debts if it ends its ties with the
IMF. Kwik said Indonesia can pay its debts of US$ 9 billion as
the country has foreign exchange reserves of up to US$ 34
billion.

President Megawati Soekarnoputri said the country should
maintain its political stability and security if it wants to be
free from the unfavorable IMF program.
-- Bisnis Indonesia, Jakarta