UGM to test writing skills

Gadjah Mada University (UGM) is organizing a writing contest for high school students throughout the country as part of the celebration of the university's 54th anniversary, spokesman Suryo Baskoro said.

The theme of the contest is UGM di Mataku (UGM in My Opinion).

"This activity is held to help encourage the high school students' interest in writing skills," Suryo said.

Participants should type the essay with a 1.5 line spacing in Times New Roman 12pts font. It should be between four and 10 pages.

"The work should be original," he said, adding that participants do not need to pay any fee.

Anyone interested in the contest should send their writing to UM UGM, Gedung Pusat Lantai III, Bulaksumur, Yogyakarta 55281.

The first place getter will receive Rp 3 million, the second Rp 2 million and the third Rp 1 million. The runner up will receive Rp 500,000, Suryo said. --JP

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Malioboro street vendors to be put in order

Yogyakarta Mayor Herry Zudianto said the administration will put in order sidewalk vendors along Jl. Malioboro because they pay no attention to the public interest and fail to keep the area clean.

Besides, he said, the disorder could easily trigger a horizontal conflict due to social jealousy among the vendors, who are mostly from outside Yogyakarta. If it is not anticipated, conflict could occur, the mayor added.

He did not say how many percent of the vendors were from the province.

As a first step, the administration invited the vendors' representatives for a discussion. "If they agree to the discussion, we will settle the matter peacefully with a win-win solution. Otherwise, we will enforce the law," Herry said.

What's more, according to Herry, there were vendors who brought disadvantage to the consumers as they often increased the prices if the potential buyers were from outside the city. "I got a report that a glass of es jeruk (orange juice) cost Rp 10,000 (US$1.2). Not only it is disadvantageous for the customers, it could tarnish our image and we will all suffer." --JP