Aguswandi, Banda Aceh – No matter which political camp or organization you belong to in Aceh, there is one similarity throughout: Women are not significantly involved anywhere. Women's potential and actual roles have been neglected across the board in the huge rebuilding efforts in post-tsunami and post-MOU Aceh.

Melanesian Solidarity National Facilitating Committee for Free West Papua, Papua New Guinea is calling on the Senior Official currently meeting in Suva, Fiji to put West Papua as a separate agenda on the Pacific Islands Forum agenda.

Hera Diani, Jakarta – Challenges still loom for a democratic state in Indonesia where civilians reign supreme, with a significant minority of people still believing military posts are vital for public order and security.

Terrorism will damage the Balinese tourist industry, but there are deeper structural problems which threaten the broader Indonesian economy.

A delegation of Papuan church ministers is flying out to America this week to lobby the United States Congress to investigate Indonesia's legal claim over their province. The US House of Representatives has passed a bill questioning Papua's incorporation into Indonesia.

Anton Aliabbas, Jakarta – The plan to reactivate the TNI's (Indonesian military) territorial commands has been greeted by condemnation.

Mark Forbes, Denpasar – Police have launched raids on Jemaah Islamiah strongholds across Indonesia in a widening hunt for members of the suicide cell that launched last weekend's bomb attacks in Bali.

Denpasar – Bali's Hindus celebrated one of their holiest days and its Muslims began the fasting month of Ramadan as police vowed to "work around the clock" to solve the weekend bombings.

Muninggar Sri Saraswati, Jakarta – The Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Agency for Aceh and Nias (BRR) reiterated its promise on Tuesday to speed up reconstruction work in tsunami-affected areas.

Ahmad Yunus, Bandung – It is indeed appropriate for Bandung to be called a sea of factory outlets. But, did you know that some of the buildings that have magically become factory outlets are actually official military residences? That is what has happened in the city of blossoms.

A.M. Hendropriyono, Jakarta – The weekend's repeat terrorist attack on Bali comes at the worst possible moment for the resort island. Not only did the blasts claim human lives, but they will no doubt translate into a devastating reverse for Bali's tourism industry – which had only recently clawed its way back to normalcy following the October 2002 bombing.

Tom McCawley, Jakarta – Here in the world's largest Muslim country a war of ideas within Islam is playing out on an unlikely stage: a bohemian arts community in a crowded Jakarta side street. The patrons of the Utan Kayu Theater, including some of Indonesia's leading novelists and writers, normally gather to discuss such topics as avant-garde art or prewar Russian cinema.

Banda Aceh – Acehnese students staged a peaceful protest on Monday demanding that the government dissolve the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Agency for Aceh and Nias (BRR) since it had failed to perform its mission.

An Australian counter-terrorism expert says that Jemaah Islamiah has the capacity to continue its pattern of bomb attacks in Indonesia for years to come. And the group is rebuilding so it'll be a greater threat to Indonesia in the future.

Green Euro-MP Caroline Lucas has joined calls for the UN to hold an independence referendum in West Papua after the Green Party adopted a policy motion condemning the UN-sponsored 'sham' Act of Free Choice which led to West Papua formally joining Indonesia in 1969.

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta – Thousands of passengers were left stranded on Monday when bus drivers went on strike to demand that the government raise fares following the steep fuel price increases announced on Friday.

In Medan, student Fransiska Manik found it impossible to get to the University of North Sumatra despite waiting for a public minivan for two hours.

As the hunt continues for those responsible for the weekend attacks, security officials say there is no doubt the bombings point to the handiwork of two men. Azahari bin Husin and Noordin Mohammed Top are the alleged masterminds behind the terror group Jemaah Islamiah and police say their fingerprints are all over this latest attack. Linda Lopresti reports.

Muninggar Sri Saraswati, Jakarta – The Supreme Court claimed on Monday that it was unaware of the involvement of court clerks in the "judicial mafia", despite reports over many years suggesting court employees from all levels were involved in graft.

Kafil Yamin, Jakarta – Police used tear gas on about 100 rioting students during one protest over the government's decision to more than double the average cost of fuel.

Jakarta – Held the day after the government raised fuel prices by an average of 126 percent, the antipollution Car Free Day campaign failed to attract much attention on Sunday.

Although city transportation officials closed down the fast lane along Jl. Thamrin from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., very few people took advantage of this rare opportunity to stroll or cycle along the street.

Dili – President Xanana Gusmco told lawmakers in East Timor Monday to make fuller use of their constitutional rights to challenge in parliament the actions of the Dili government.

Speaking at the official opening of parliament, Gusmco said he hoped Timor's MPs would be even more "productive and efficient" during the new session.

Barring any major disturbances to Indonesia's social and political stability, the market should react positively to the government's bold move last week to raise domestic fuel prices by an average of 125 percent, which in turn will lead to improved confidence in the country's economic outlook.

Jakarta – Women politicians in regional legislative councils across the country have urged the government and the House of Representatives to revise Law No. 12/2003 on elections which they say half-heartedly supports gender equality in politics.

Harry Bhaskara, Jakarta – Rather than "ladies and gentlemen", a provincial candidate for the House of Representatives once addressed an audience "Bapak dua dan ibu dua (father two and mother two)." The candidate, an ojek (motorcycle taxi) driver who was reading a prepared speech, should have said "Bapak-bapak dan ibu-ibu" instead of saying "dua" for the figure "2" after each of the

Fabio Scarpello, Bali – With experts fairly certain that Saturday's bombings were a repeat of the October 2002 attacks on this tourist resort by the Jemaah Islamiyah, the big question is when will the group, said to have links with the international al-Qaeda network, strike next.

Heru Margianto – A number of non-government organisations (NGO) have questioned the performance of the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) and the Indonesian police following the bombing in Bali and are calling for a policy audit of the two institutions.

Gary LaMoshi, Denpasar – In anticipation of my annual October 12 Bali bombing anniversary column, I talked to Gede Wijaya, head of the Bali Government Tourism Office a couple of weeks ago. July international arrivals to the island had set an all-time high and the August figures pushed the total for the year above a million, on pace for a new record.

Jakarta – Stringent condemnations poured in on Sunday over the latest blasts that killed at least 26 people on the resort island of Bali, with Muslim leaders appealing to authorities to avoid hastily linking the attacks with Islam.

Jakarta – The economy – already facing inflationary pressures from soaring oil prices – may be further hurt by the latest bombings in Bali, according to a minister, who predicts they could cut 0.3 percent off national growth.

Tiarma Siboro, Jakarta – Families of Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) supporters who were murdered or jailed in events following the aborted military coup on Sept. 30 1965, have demanded the government clarify its role in the bloody incident.

Bombs exploded in three packed tourist restaurants on the Indonesian island of Bali killing at least 32 people and injuring over 100, just days before the third anniversary of the nightclub attacks there.

Irwan Firdaus, Bali – Indonesia said Sunday it suspected two al-Qaida fugitives of masterminding the suicide bombings of crowded restaurants in tourist resorts on the Indonesian island of Bali which killed at least 26 people and injured more than 100.

Tiarma Siboro, Jakarta – Indonesia's founding fathers declared that this country would embrace various cultures, ethnic groups, religions and beliefs, however such idealism is fast disappearing and freedom to enjoy this diversity has become endangered, with minority groups often suffering from violence and terror.

Tony Hotland, Jakarta – The elimination of all forms of restrictions on freedom of expression, threats to religious freedom, forced labor and discrimination in the workplace are new tasks for the government after the House of Representatives finally ratified on Friday two long-awaited United Nations covenants.

Implications of ratification of UN Conventions on Civil and Political Rights and on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights to states (selected). The state must:

Niniek Karmini, Jakarta – Indonesia more than doubled the average cost of fuel Saturday in a bid to stave off an economic crisis, sparking transport strikes and violent protests from people who have long enjoyed some of the cheapest gas prices in the world.

Ribka Tjiptaning Proletariyati is the writer of a book entitled Aku Bangga Jadi Anak PKI (I'm proud to be a daughter of the Indonesian Communist Party, or PKI). She is a politician of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and now heads the House of Representatives Commission IX on health and manpower.

Netty Dharma Somba, Jakarta, Jayapura – The ongoing formation of Papuan People's Assembly (MRP) has drawn strong opposition from Papuan tribal leaders and churchmen, who feel disappointed with what they say are the central government's confusing policies in the resource-rich province.

Rendi A. Witular and Urip Hudiono, Jakarta – The government rang in October with a very steep fuel price hike – by an average of 126.6 percent – amid a relatively minor clash, sporadic protests and long lines at gas stations.

Aguswandi – Since 1975, the people of Aceh in the eastern province of Indonesia have claimed freedom from the Indonesian Republic. The resulting civil war has lasted 30 years and claimed over 20,000 lives.

Chronology of major terrorist attacks in Indonesia dating back to 2000.

October 1 2005: Bombs explode at three crowded restaurants on the tourist island of Bali, killing at least 25 and wounding more than 100 others. Officials blame unnamed terrorists for the blasts.

Jakarta – Hundreds of people rallied in a third day of demonstrations across Indonesia to protest a government decision to more than double fuel prices to keep an economic crisis at bay.

36th Pacific Islands Forum, Papua New Guinea, 25-27 October 2005

Jakarta – Hours prior to the announcement of the new fuel prices on Friday night, protests against the much-criticized policy amounted to little, with a massive rally pledged in the capital failing to materialize.

ID Nugroho, Blitar – How many people were killed in the violence after the aborted Sept. 30, 1965, coup blamed on the Indonesian Communist Party? The actual number of those massacred is unclear, despite a series of investigations into the incidents, both domestic and foreign.

Makassar/Yogyakarta/Cirebon/Bandung – Despite President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's appeal earlier for peaceful rallies, protests against the upcoming fuel price hikes turned violent in several cities on Thursday, resulting in the arrest of several demonstrators.

M. Taufiqurrahman, Jakarta – Over four decades ago, an American political scientist predicted that in the near future, after the triumph of democratic politics and capitalism, ideology would be reduced to insignificance. Hence, the end of ideology.

Jakarta – Thousands of students, workers, activists and farmers took to the streets across the country on Thursday to protest the plan to raise fuel prices by up to 80 percent, while motorists queued up at gas stations before the new prices take effect.

Emmy Fitri, Jakarta – Cecilia and Felia get out of a sedan and carefully walk in their stylish sandals on the wet cobbled stone floor on the side of the house.

It has been raining since morning and nearly all the floor outside – and parts of the inside of the dilapidated house – are wet.

Tony Hotland, Jakarta – The House of Representatives' disciplinary committee said it has found prima facie evidence of a conspiracy among lawmakers to "sell" budget allocations.