Jakarta – The horizontal tribal conflict in Banti, District of Tembagapura, Mile 68, Freeport has not yet been resolved by either of the warring parties.

Irawaty Wardany, Jakarta – The Central Jakarta District Court refused on Wednesday a request to postpone the detainment of former president director of Garuda Indonesia Indra Setiawan, who is being tried in the murder of a prominent human rights activist.

Mustafa Silalahi, Jakarta – Around 3,000 workers from the Indonesian Metal Trade Union Federation (FSPMI) and ex-workers of Panasonic and Nippon Glass held a demonstration in front of the Japanese Embassy, in Jalan MH. Thamrin, Central Jakarta this morning (25/10).

Adianto P Simamora, Bogor – A coalition of local and international environmental activists has warned that efforts made by developing countries to combat climate change will be hampered if they dig into natural resources to repay massive foreign debts.

Jakarta – While poverty remains the leading cause of child trafficking in Indonesia, the attitudes of parents and a wide-scale lack of education in certain areas of the country also contribute, officials told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.

Syofiardi Bachyul Jb, Padang – A West Sumatra independent corruption watch body said it was suspicious of the recent release of 10 former legislative members from all corruption charges.

Agus Rakasiwi – The 1998 reform movement finished the task of removing Suharto from the Indonesian presidency. But have Indonesia's problems now ended?

Bill Guerin, Jakarta – After years of policy confusion and political gridlock, Indonesia's Parliament this month ratified a government plan to establish full free trade zones (FTZ) for areas of three islands located near Singapore.

Jakarta – A political expert warned Tuesday that it might be too late for President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to improve his performance in key sectors before the 2009 elections.

Interview by Philip Smucker. Solo, Indonesia – Even as Indonesia has gained the upper hand against religiously-inspired extremism, the spiritual mentor behind the Bali bombings, Abu Bakar Ba'asyir, says he is confident that both time and Allah are on his side.

Irawaty Wardany and Wahyoe Boediwardhana, Jakarta/Malang – President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono inaugurated six of seven new members of the General Election Commission (KPU) at the State Palace on Tuesday.

Attending the ceremony were Vice President Jusuf Kalla, Cabinet ministers and leaders of state institutions such as House of Representatives Speaker Agung Laksono.

Jakarta – Hundreds of employees from state-owned bus company Perusahaan Pengangkutan Djakarta (PPD) braved the rain to rally in front of the company's Jl Panjaitan headquarters in East Jakarta on Tuesday to demand their unpaid salaries.

The latest analysis by the International Monetary Fund which portends a weakening global economy could adversely affect Indonesia's economic prospects, which have looked much rosier after a respectable growth of 6.1 percent in the first half.

We received information from Jayapura on Sat, 20 Oct 2007 that a West Papuan lawyer Sabar Iwanggin has been arrested in Jayapura and was being interrogated by personnel from the Detachment 88 the special police anti terrorist force.

Telly Nathalia, Jakarta – The United Nations and Portugal must share responsibility for violence that marred East Timor's 1999 vote for independence, a former general told a truth commission investigating the bloodshed.

Abdul Khalik and Desy Nurhayati, Jakarta – The Indonesia-Timor Leste Commission for Truth and Friendship (CTF) is moving closer toward submitting its conclusions about alleged human rights abuses in Timor Leste, with its final public hearing scheduled for Wednesday.

Ridwan Max Sijabat, Jakarta – The Golkar Party's political engine is up an running on every level ahead of the 2009 elections, but the party seems determined to maintain political stability by refusing to announce its presidential candidates.

Nurrohman, Bandung – In their daily lives women are still often marginalized, cornered and treated as creatures who are worth less than men. This treatment originates not only from the values preserved in the established culture but also from the law and religious interpretations.

Hyginus Hardoyo, Wonogiri – Amid reports of the environmentally costly exploitation of forest resources across the country, good news comes from a handful of villages in Java.

Farmers in Wonogiri and Sukoharjo in Central Java, as well as Gunungkidul in Yogyakarta, have managed to convert arid and seemingly barren land into a flourishing ecosystem.

Agus Supriyanto, Jakarta – The economists are concerned that the Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Jusuf Kalla's government will conduct "window dressing" to enhance the economic report within the remaining two years of their administration.

Hyginus Hardoyo – Farmers who are actively involved in the sustainable development of community-based forests in Wonogiri, Central Java, say they are not reaping the rewards of their hard work and dedication.

Medan/Bandung – With the end of the long holidays, Indonesia's cities are returning to normal. That means traffic, smog, and big queues for public services.

In the North Sumatra capital of Medan, residents began lining up early in the morning at Pirngadi Hospital, where they were collecting new Askes insurance cards.

Jakarta – Lawyers for former president Soeharto criticized Monday state prosecution charges alleging the misuse of Supersemar Foundation funds, saying foundation money provided to some companies was in compliance with the foundation's internal regulations.

Jakarta – Coordinating Minister for the Economy Boediono said he expected the Indonesian economy to fare well amid a global slowdown, countering projections by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) which has revised 2008 growth projections – including Indonesia's – in a downward direction.

Jakarta – Over the last three years of the administration of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the upholding of human rights has been limited to building a good image. This can be seen from the administration's concentration on issues to maintain its power.

Hundreds of employees from the Jakarta Transport Company (PPD), who have yet to be paid five months in outstanding wages and holiday bonuses, went on strike and demonstrated at the PPD offices in East Jakarta on October 23.

Rofiqi Hasan, Denpasar – Scores of activists from the Indonesian Environmental Forum (Walhi) held a demonstration in the Balinese provincial capital of Denpasar on Tuesday October 23.

A United States-based West Papuan journalist and academic says the media access to Indonesia's Papua region has become more restricted.

Octo Mote's comments follow discussion in the British parliament over how much Jakarta has opened up Papua for foreign journalists.

Yemris Fointuna, Kupang – The Kupang Legislative Council agreed to increase the amount of a monthly allowance paid to teachers following a strike and street rally involving some 5,000 teachers in Kupang on Monday.

Tangerang – At least two residents were injured in a clash with police at a protest over a slaughterhouse in Sepatan district on Monday.

Tohir, 20, and Jamal, 23, who suffered head injuries, were taken to the police station for questioning without medical treatment. The police refused to comment.

Members of the Papuan community living in the Papua New Guinea capital say they fear for their safety after the murder of a senior court magistrate at the weekend.

It is alleged a group of Papuan refugees stoned the judge to death after he crashed his car near their make shift camp site.

Sultani – The public's assessment of the performance of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's administration over the last year has shown progressive signs that they have had enough. The public is increasingly apathetic towards the measures being taken by government to improve the nation.

George Junus Aditjondro, Yogyakarta – The Helsinki peace agreement made on Aug. 15, 2005, between the Indonesian government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) left some "homework" for elected Aceh Governor Irwandy Yusuf and his North Sumatra counterpart Rudolf Pardede.

Jakarta – On a bridge in Karet, Central Jakarta, a middle-aged man sat eating a cracker. He looked tired and drawn, but before long stood up again and continued searching for sellable items of trash.

Adhityani Arga, Jakarta – The pilot of a Garuda Indonesia aircraft that crashed at Yogyakarta airport killing 21 people ignored 15 warnings as he descended too rapidly, a transport safety committee report said on Monday.

Alfian, Jakarta – The Golkar Party could win the 2009 general elections but it needs to be on the alert for the possible loss of voters to the Democratic Party (PD), observers said Sunday.

Saiful Mujani, executive director of the Indonesian Survey Institute (LSI), said that the PD has enjoyed a significant increase in popularity in the last three years.

Jakarta – Former Jakarta governor Sutiyoso said Sunday that he had approached several political parties in line with his plans to contest the 2009 presidential election.

Emily Sherlock – They have been interrupting our TV viewing for months. And with the federal election campaign in full swing, advertisements on West Papua have become more prevalent.

Desy Nurhayati, Jakarta – Indonesia will struggle to provide adequate sanitation and clean water to 72.5 percent of its population by 2015 in accordance with its commitment to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), experts said Friday.

Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara – Around 5,000 schoolteachers threatened to strike unless their allowance is increased significantly.

"In a meeting the teachers agreed to hold a street rally Monday, October 22. A mass strike will follow the rally," chairman of the Kupang Teachers Forum, Dumuul Djami, said Thursday.

Hasrul, Kendari – The bodies of 27 people have been recovered after a ferry sank Thursday night off the coast of Baubau in Southeast Sulawesi carrying more than 100 passengers.

Authorities reported the Acita 03 capsized several kilometers from shore around 9 p.m., after dozens of passengers rushed to the roof to get a stronger signal for their cell phones.

Mustaqim Adamrah, Jakarta – Jakarta administration has been criticized for raids aimed at preventing arriving migrants trying their luck in the city.

University of Indonesia public policy analyst Andrinof Chaniago and sociologist Imam Prasodjo said Friday the city administration was violating human rights by conducting the crackdowns.

The Idul Fitri party is over. People are now returning to Jakarta after spending time – and money – in their hometowns. Many of them, especially the poor, are tired and broke from long journeys. Yet they have returned to a city that is unwelcoming.

Adianto P. Simamora, Jakarta – Environmental campaigners have praised the government's anti-deforestation scheme, which aims to lure international funding by protecting forests and helping reduce carbon emissions.

Fadli, Batam – Riau Islands businesspeople have proposed setting the 2008 monthly minimum wage for Batam city below the average inflation rate.

Businesspeople from the Riau Islands chapter of the Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo) have proposed a 1.5 percent minimum for next year.

Alfian and Urip Hudiono, Jakarta – Although criticizing the selection process for the General Elections Commission (KPU), observers said Thursday the President should install the new members immediately.

Ridwan Max Sijabat, Jakarta – Instead of begging rich countries for forestry projects, the government should instead increase the Indonesian Military (TNI) and National Police budgets to stop rampant illegal logging.

Anton Muhajir, Contributor, Kuta – Yustine (not her real name) says she feels more comfortable in the glittering Seminyak area near Kuta in Bali than in her hometown in Java.

A member of Bali's gay and transvestite community, she has been working as a singer and hairstylist on the island for the past two years.

Ary Hermawan, Denpasar – The decision of the Bali chapter of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) to leave up to the national party leadership the nomination of a candidate for the 2008 gubernatorial election in Bali is detrimental to the autonomy of the party locally, a political analyst says.

Harlyne Joku – West Papuans numbering 600 have agreed to be repatriated to their home province in Indonesia, the independent group supporting special autonomous region of Papua (IGSSARPRI) said yesterday.

Secretary general Sawi Sitapai said IGSSARPRI was organising their voluntary repatriation which would take place in December and January.