Theresia Sufa, Bogor – Hundreds of women demonstrated on Monday to demand seven village heads in the area help secure the release of 19 residents detained by the Bogor Police following a violent clash at the Bojong waste treatment facility in Bogor regency on November 22.

Medan – The chief of the Bukit Barisan military command, Maj. Gen. Tri Tamtomo, reiterated on Monday that any soldiers found providing protection for places of entertainment would be severely punished.

Devi Asmarani, Yogyakarta – Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono yesterday urged religious leaders to play a strong role to build tolerance in their communities in the fight against terrorism.Opening a two-day meeting on inter-faith cooperation here, he said religious leaders must promote religion as an agent of peace in the world.

Terrorism is the enemy of all faiths, Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono told religious leaders from across Asia, Australia and the Pacific at a conference on how to curb rising religious extremism.

Damar Harsanto, Jakarta – The city administration is sticking to its plan to simultaneously build new busway corridors from the Pulo Gebang bus terminal, currently under-construction in East Jakarta, to Kalideres, West Jakarta, even though land acquisition remains a problem.

Mudrajad Kuncoro, Yogyakarta – Problems with regional autonomy and increasing demands for bribes are further slowing Indonesia's exports in a highly competitive regional market, a survey of 100 top executive managers says.

Kurniawan Hari, Jakarta – Scholars on Islamic studies warned on Saturday that religious radicalism would continue to grow over the next few years, partly due to perceived unfair treatment of Muslims around the world.

Religious leaders from 13 countries gathered in the heartland of Indonesia's al-Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiah group to discuss how to combat sectarian extremism.

Jakarta – A police expert urged the government on Saturday to establish the planned National Police Commission (KKN) immediately to allow the public at large to have a say in the work of the police and thus minimize abuses by police personnel.

It has been four years since the police force said it intended to institute reform in order to provide better service and protection to the public. Previously, the police force was an integral part of the military for over 30 years. However, many still consider that the police have yet to "reform" themselves.

Zakki P. Hakim, Jakarta – A 40 percent increase in fuel prices would have little direct impact on the production cost of food and beverages, but the prices of several commodities could rise significantly due to higher transportation and packaging costs.

Evi Mariani and Bambang Nurbianto, Jakarta – After 55 years of service, the prestigious Jakarta Police are still deemed a disappointment by taxpayers, who pointed to unresolved crimes and chaotic traffic management on Monday.

Dwo, Jakarta – It is hoped that President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will immediately form a special team which can handle the murder of human rights activist Munir.

Bambang Nurbianto, Jakarta – The recent call for thrift by People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) chairman Hidayat Nurwahid has apparently yet to be heeded by the city's 75 councillors.

Instead, they will start discussing draft bylaws on financial matters for city council leaders and members that will entitle them to numerous facilities, including cars.

Jakarta – On December 7, around 500 trade union members from the United Workers' Alliance held a demonstration in front of the offices of the Provincial Legislative Council (DPRD) in Jakarta on Jalan Kebon Sirih Central Jakarta.

Jakarta – Last week, the former chairperson of the People's Democratic Party (PRD), Budiman Sudjatmiko, decided to join the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) along with 51 other democratic activists. After two years of study in England, Sudjatmiko's decision to enter the PDI-P appears to be the start of his return to the political arena.

Semarang – The majority of regency and city branches of the Golkar Party will support the election of media magnate Surya Paloh over the incumbent leader, Akbar Tandjung, in its upcoming congress in Bali.

Nani Afrida, Banda Aceh – Amid stepped-up security measures imposed by the civil emergency administration, conditions in strife-torn Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam remained relatively calm on the 28th anniversary of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) on Saturday.

Damar Harsanto, Jakarta – A court order meant to protect the livelihoods of 3,000 vendors in the Tanah Abang textile market would actually stop most of them from trading, the market's operator claims.

Evi Mariani, Jakarta – It has been a week since kancil, 4-wheeled mini-taxis, hit the streets of Jakarta, but their presence is very limited because only 26 are in operation thus far.

The locally made vehicles were produced in a bid to phase out the Indian-made bajaj (three-wheeled motorized taxis) which are notorious for their shrill engines and thick, black smoke.

Muninggar Sri Saraswati Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, Jakarta – While vowing to lead the fight against corruption, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has declined to suspend corruption suspect Abdullah Puteh immediately, as ordered by the powerful Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

Surabaya – Nahdlatul Ulama head Hasyim Muzadi has stared down an attack by a rival faction, winning re-election as the chairman of Indonesia's largest Islamic grassroots organisation for another five years.

Surakarta – Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) has enacted several important policies including revoking its order to back the National Awakening Party (PKB) it founded after the downfall of president Soeharto in 1998.

All 40 million members of the nation's largest Muslim organization are now free to support any political party in next elections according to their own wishes.

Kurniawan Hari, Jakarta – A close aide of Golkar chairman Akbar Tandjung said on Friday that the party's regency chapters may not be given the right to vote in the upcoming national congress to avoid possible vote buying.

Chaidir Anwar Tanjung, Pekanbaru – On Saturday November 4, more than 5000 workers from the Indonesian Workers Metal Federation (Federasi Buruh Metal Indonesia, FBMI) went on strike demanding that the government of Riau province revise the minimum regional wage level.

Nani Afrida and Tiarma Siboro, Banda Aceh/Jakarta – Anticipating possible skirmishes during the 28th anniversary of the Aceh Free Movement (GAM) on December 4, the civil emergency administration on Friday banned the populace from engaging in any activities related to the occasion.

Banda Aceh – Officials threatened to "shoot on sight" rebels caught raising separatist flags in Aceh province to mark the anniversary of their movement today. But the rebels remained defiant.

Rendi A. Witular, Jakarta – Poverty has not stopped the poor from smoking – the latest market research shows they have just switched to cheaper non-branded cigarettes, which is giving the country's traditional tobacco giants a proverbial kick in the butt.

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta – Bank Indonesia is asking the government to carefully consider the timing of its plan to raise domestic fuel prices next year, so as to keep its effect on the country's inflation rate within manageable limits.

Jakarta – A number of Japanese investors complained to the Minister of Industry Andung A. Nitimihardja over obstacles in investing in the country, which led to a high cost economy and turned away potential investors.

State-owned Bank Mandiri, the nation's largest bank in terms of assets, estimates that lending may grow by at least 20 percent next year on the back of rising business confidence and improving security and political conditions.

Tiarma Siboro, Jakarta – A Working Group for Aceh called for a revision of the special autonomy for the troubled province, arguing that it had failed to address the roots of the problems.

Banda Aceh – In the lead up to the anniversary of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) security forces in Aceh have forbidden people from joining in the celebrations. If any civilians or GAM members are seen raising the Red Crescent Moon flag, GAM's symbol, they will be shot on sight. Journalists have who cover such activities will not be tolerated.

Jakarta – Despite the prolonged arms embargo imposed by the United States on Indonesia, the militaries of the two countries are attempting to maintain their cooperation.

Bill Guerin, Jakarta – Violence erupted in the capital of Indonesia's troubled province of West Papua on Wednesday as security forces moved to break up a flag-raising ceremony by independence supporters who had gathered to celebrate West Papua Day, according to a Sydney-based human rights monitor.

Jakarta – The Jakarta administration turned a deaf ear to workers' pleas for a revision to the minimum wage for 2005 of Rp 711,843 (US$79) to Rp 759,532, the estimated minimum cost of living in the capital.

Kurniawan Hari, Jakarta – The House of Representatives's defense commission held a hearing with Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto Thursday, the first since the controversy surrounding the replacement of the TNI chief.

Jakarta – The bombing last year of the JW Marriott hotel in Indonesia's capital was inspired by Osama bin Laden, a militant who was convicted in the attack and who claims to have met the Al-Qaeda leader said yesterday."I met Osama frequently in Afghanistan and heard him speak about waging war against America and its allies," said Mohammad Rais, giving testimony in the trial of alleg

Jakarta – Five witnesses testifying in the Abu Bakar Ba'asyir trial said on Thursday that they had met with the cleric either in Malaysia, Afghanistan or Philippines, but ruled out his having a hand in the J.W. Marriot Hotel bombing in August 2003.

Matthew Moore, Jakarta – A confessed member of the Jemaah Islamiah terrorist network says he personally delivered an invitation from Osama bin Laden to Abu Bakar Bashir offering the militant cleric refuge in Afghanistan.

Nigel Wilson – John McCarthy, Australia's ambassador to Indonesia at the time of the Australian-led peacekeeping mission in 1999, yesterday confirmed Indonesia was critical of Australia's argument on maritime boundaries.

M. Rizal Maslan, Jakarta – Around 52 activists have declared the formation of the Volunteers for Democratic Struggle (Relawan Perjuangan Demokrasi, RPD) and say they have decided to join with the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P). One of them is the former chairperson of the People's Democratic Party (PRD), Budiman Sudjatmiko.

Surakarta/Surabaya – Nahdlatul Ulama head Hasyim Muzadi stared down an attack by a rival faction on Thursday, winning reelection as NU chairman for another five years.

Yemris Fointuna, Kupang – Over 270 people, who were deported from East Timor, were moved into a dormitory belonging to East Nusa Tenggara's Manpower and Transmigration Office in Kupang on Thursday.

Jakarta – The weapon systems belonging to the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) is a cause for concern. Compared with the systems belonging to the armed forces in other South-East Asian countries the TNI's is among the worst, only ahead of Cambodia and Laos.

Sari P. Setiogi and Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, Jakarta – Indonesian teachers marked the 36th anniversary of their organization on Thursday with a demand for President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's administration to pay more respect to their achievements.

Bambang Nurbianto, Jakarta – The death of thousands of fish and clams in waters off Ancol Beach on Tuesday was likely caused by pollution in the city's toxic rivers, the Environmental Management Agency said.

M. Taufiqurrahman, Jakarta – The close alignment between religion and politics has resulted in a decline in tolerance among the adherents of different religious over the past few years, aggravating the problems facing the country.

We are quite apprehensive about the real objective behind the government's plan to grant a tax amnesty.

Urip Hudiono, Jakarta – Despite improving interest rates and a peaceful election year, legal uncertainties remain the main obstacle for Indonesian firms in obtaining business finance, a report from global rating agency Standard and Poor's (S&P) said.