Vaudine England – President Abdurrahman Wahid has chosen a renowned supporter of human rights and anti-corruption efforts, Baharudin Lopa, as his justice minister, following the sacking of Jusril Ihza Mahendra.

Mr Lopa has most recently been Indonesia's ambassador to Saudi Arabia, but is regarded as one of the country's few judges free of corruption. He has also been secretary-general of the National Human Rights Commission. His appointment to the Ministry for Law, Justice and Human Rights is in line with Mr Wahid's commitment to step up prosecution efforts against members of the former Suharto regime.

Mr Wahid fired Mr Jusril after he openly backed calls for the President to step down over financial scandals that triggered a censure from Parliament last week. He was the second cabinet member to leave in the past month.