Anna Fifield – Amid the rubble of Jakarta's shattered JW Marriott hotel, Indonesian and Australian police and forensic experts are working side-by-side sifting for evidence.

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, Jakarta – President Megawati Soekarnoputri installed on Saturday nine judges to the bench of the newly created Constitutional Court.

In a ceremony attended by high-level officials at the State Palace, the nine judges, all prominent figures in the field of law, were sworn in by the President.

A move that began with pressure from several reformists within the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) to replace party functionaries allegedly involved in vote buying is also being seen as a move to weaken and eventually oust President and party chair Megawati Sukarnoputri from the party leadership.

Indonesia on Sunday marked the 58th anniversary of its freedom from Dutch rule under tight security after a warning of a possible attack to coincide with the celebrations.

Shirts carrying the face of Osama bin Laden, have disappeared from markets in the Indonesian garnment-producing city of Bandung as the country steps up its anti-terror efforts.

The t-shirts had been a popular item in Indonesia, world's largest Muslim-populated nation, along with those featuring former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein.

As the noose tightens around the alleged masterminds of the Jemaah Islamiyah terror network, Jakarta is coming under increasing pressure to close one of its most influential Islamic schools. The Al Mukim Islamic school in Solo in Central Java is headed by detained Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Bashir. And the school's alumni reads like a terrorists who's who.

Bambang Nurbianto, Jakarta – Tight security is still in place at former president Soeharto's residence on Jl. Cendana 8, Central Jakarta, as was observed upon the arrival of Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso on Thursday.

Matthew Moore, Jakarta – Australian Federal Police were given none of the lists of potential bombing targets in Jakarta that Indonesian police say they obtained last month in a raid on a Jemaah Islamiah hideout in Semarang in Central Java.

Derwin Pereira, Jakarta – This is fiction. The October 12 Bali bombings and the attack on the JW Marriott Hotel here last week were the work of the CIA.

The spy outfit recruited and trained Indonesians to be terrorists for an organisation called Jemaah Islamiah (JI) that had the seal of approval from President George W. Bush.

William J. Furney – Spare a thought for the judges who heard cases of atrocities at Indonesia's special crimes tribunal for the former East Timor: With almost every major international human rights group slamming the trials of 18 former officials as an unabashed "whitewash", these are put-upon, mercurial justices of the law.

Moch. N. Kurniawan, Jakarta – Indonesia should not be obliged to meet international standards in prosecuting the human rights abuse cases in East Timor, because the trial of perpetrators was conducted in mostly in accordance with the local law, says a government official.

Jakarta – The International Monetary Fund Friday praised Indonesia's 2004 budget proposal, which aims to reduce the budget deficit to 1.2% of the gross domestic product from 1.8% this year. "It's a good budget policy," David Nellor, the IMF'srepresentative in Indonesia, told reporters.

Gary LaMoshi, Denpasar – If you worried about the economic impact of the bombing of the JW Marriott in Jakarta on August 5, you're behind the times. Enlightened investors saw the bomb as a buying opportunity and jumped into the local stock market.

Muninggar Sri Saraswati, Jakarta – In a response to the rampant terror attacks plaguing the country in the past year, the government has decided to give the Indonesian Military (TNI) some of its pre-reform era powers back.

Richard S Ehrlich, Jakarta – Washington has linked al-Qaeda to the bomb attacks on Bali and the JW Marriott Hotel, but Muslim extremists' demands for a strict Islamic society are not popular in Indonesia. Many Indonesian Muslims prefer to meld religious tradition with modern lifestyles and have overwhelmingly rejected fundamentalist candidates in local and national elections.

Leslie Lau – The captain and two crew members of a Malaysian-owned tanker have been kidnapped – the latest victims in a recent spate of pirate attacks being blamed on Aceh separatist rebels.

Damien Kingsbury – The push by the Australian Government to renew its association with the Indonesian military's feared Kopassus special forces is perhaps the most doubtful proposition in what has been a history of questionable arrangements.

Australia would do its best to ensure Kopassus troops who trained East Timor militias would not be involved in joint activities when military links were re-established, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said.

A'an Suryana, Jakarta – After a two-week investigation, Navy investigators have apparently found the culprits in the assassination of PT Asaba computer firm president director Budi Hartono Angsono and his Army bodyguard Second. Sgt. Edi Siyep.

Devi Asmarani, Jakarta – The Indonesian government yesterday called on Muslims in the country to stop talking about conspiracy theories against the religion and start uniting in the fight against terrorism.

Jakarta – Economists and labor analysts warned the nation of a possible higher unemployment rate in 2004, due to the heightened security issue and the upcoming general elections.

Padang – Dozens of farmers from Kapa village in West Sumatra filed a police report on Wednesday, complaining about alleged intimidation against them by security personnel. The farmers say they were victims of intimidation when asked to move from their ancestral lands.

Evi Mariani, Jakarta – The current drought will not create a rice supply problem at home, but could potentially send millions of farmers into poverty, experts said.

Bambang Nurbianto, Jakarta – Former president Soeharto may have lost power but he is still important enough for Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso to be willing to visit him for a pair of his footprints.

Sutiyoso is scheduled to meet the former strongman, who led the country for 32 years, at Soeharto's residence at Jl. Cendana No. 8, Central Jakarta.

Jakarta – Amid criticism of poor coordination among security agencies and their failure to prevent the latest bombing in Jakarta, the government is considering revising the 2003 antiterrorism law to give the security agencies more powers to thwart further terrorist attacks.

Jakarta – President Megawati Soekarnoputri endorsed the Constitutional Court Law on Wednesday, to enable the establishment of the court before August 17 as stipulated by the amended 1945 Constitution.

Minister of Justice and Human Rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra said after meeting the President that the law came into force immediately after the signing.

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, Jakarta – The central government is set to revise Law No. 22/1999 on regional administration, known also as the regional autonomy law, Minister of Home Affairs Hari Sabarno said, citing its ineffective implementation over the past three years.

Jakarta – A hardline Indonesian Muslim group agreed yesterday to retain suspected terror group chief Abu Bakar Bashir as its leader for another five years.

The Indonesian Mujahedin Council (MMI), closing its congress in the Central Java city of Solo, also urged the government to acquit the detained Bashir of all charges.

Moch. N. Kurniawan, Jakarta – Conservation International (CI) warned on Tuesday that Indonesia would lose its coral reefs in 10 years if the government was unable to conserve them and people continued to use fish bombs.

Tiarma Siboro, Jakarta – Low-ranking military personnel have given mixed reactions to an instruction by the Indonesian Military (TNI) banning enlisted members from taking side jobs to augment their income.

John Kerin Sian Powell – The US would not renew its ties with Indonesian special forces arm Kopassus until it resolved alleged military involvement in the unsolved murder of two US citizens in 2001, Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage said yesterday.

Jakarta – Analysts, politicians and top government officials have joined the chorus of opposition on Tuesday to reject the proposed adoption of the draconian Internal Security Act (ISA) as a measure to preempt terrorist attacks.

James Balowski, Jakarta – Delivering her progress report at the annual session of the People's Consultative Assembly on August 1, Indonesia's President Megawati Sukarnoputri said that, despite "occasional mishaps", her government had "put the country back on track".

Jerry Norton, Jakarta – Indonesia said on Wednesday it would probably strengthen anti-terrorism regulations to prevent attacks such as last week's bomb blast at a Jakarta hotel, as the US ambassador warned more attempts at attacks were likely.

Derwin Pereira, Jakarta – The Jemaah Islamiah (JI) terror network continues to survive in Indonesia even after carrying out two of the bloodiest attacks in the country's history.

Richard S. Ehrlich, Jakarta – Accused Bali bomber Imam Samudra welcomed on Monday prosecution demands for his death, claiming it would bring him "near to God", amid an international debate about whether or not executing terrorists makes them martyrs.

Muninggar Sri Saraswati, Jakarta – A farmers union criticized on Tuesday the water resources bill for allowing private companies to exploit springs, which it said would harm farmers who rely on free groundwater.

The water resources bill, which the House plans to discuss at its next session, would allow private companies to take control of springs for business purposes.

The Indonesian Forum for the Environment-Friends of the Earth Indonesia (WALHI) has called for protests against major banks around the world with investments in PT London Sumatera Indonesia Tbk (Lonsum).

Jakarta – After completing its 10th review of Indonesia's economic reform program, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) praised the stable performance of the country's financial markets despite the recent bombing at a Jakarta hotel.

Jakarta – Investment activity in the country remains in the doldrums with the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) revealing a bleak picture of investment during the first seven months of this year.

M. Taufiqurrahman, Jakarta – The military offensive to curb the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) has resulted in rampant violations of the Geneva Convention on the protection of civilians in times of war, experts say.

They called on the government on Tuesday to halt the security operation in the country's westernmost province.

Australia's willingness to engage internationally on the war on terror has led it recently to re-engage with the military here. But the US has not been so willing.

Vannessa Hearman – The United States and Australia are moving closer to restoring full military cooperation with Indonesia, including with the discredited Kopassus special operations unit of the Indonesian armed forces (TNI).

Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak, Lhokseumawe – The bedug (large drum) outside the small mosque in Ujung Blang village, Gandapura district, Bireuen, pounded incessantly on Tuesday, signaling that the remains of another victim of Indonesia's brutal war in Aceh had been found.

Curious residents soon gathered at a wooden house where two bodies were laid out pending burial.

Devi Asmarani, Jakarta – The much-publicised three-day meeting of the Indonesian Mujahideen Council (MMI) was meant to show that the radical Islamic movement is very much alive despite the fact that its leader Abu Bakar Bashir is on trial for terrorism.

Canberra – Australian Prime Minister John Howard yesterday defended a controversial plan to renew military links with Indonesia's elite Kopassus unit to help fight terror in the region – despite previously banning work with the group due to its questionable human rights record.

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, Jakarta – Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto has ordered all military units across the country to crack down on soldiers involved in criminal activities.

Jakarta – Indonesia can still achieve its growth target for this year despite last week's deadly bombing at the JW Marriott Hotel in Jakarta, a senior International Monetary Fund (IMF) official said yesterday.

Prime Minister John Howard has defended plans for Australia's military to resume links with Indonesia's notorious Kopassus special forces troops.

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) plans to resume contact and possibly counter-terrorism training with Kopassus, despite its suspected support for the militia carnage in East Timor in 1999.

Australia has announced it will renew military ties with Indonesia's special forces unit, Kopassus, just four years after severing links following allegations that Kopassus had co-ordinated the East Timor massacres.