Jakarta – Transforming Indonesia's tarnished but powerful military into a modern defence force will be an uphill battle, even for its new pro-reform chief who took over this week, analysts say.

Jakarta – Landslides and floods triggered by torrential rain have killed at least 24 people in Indonesia's eastern city of Manado, search and rescue officials said on Wednesday.

The disaster occurred on Tuesday in the North Sulawesi provincial capital, where parts of the city were inundated with one-meter (three foot) high floodwaters after hours of rain.

M. Azis Tunny, Ambon – Chaos broke out Monday after the Ambon District Court sentenced Idi Amin Tabrani Pattimura, aka Ongen Pattimura, to life in prison for masterminding a deadly attack on a karoake bar last year.

After the verdict was announced, dozens of Ongen's supporters began shouting at the judges and rushed toward prosecutors.

Adianto P. Simamora, Jakarta – Hoping to jump-start stalled negotiations over the minimum monthly wage, thousands of Jakarta's workers are threatening a March 1 strike.

Jakarta – Suciwati, the widow of murdered human rights activist Munir, met with legislators Monday, a week after an earlier call on the House of Representatives from a former intelligence deputy chief implicated in the case.

Jakarta – There is increasing evidence women are being used by terrorist groups here to smuggle and receive explosives and weapons, the National Police say.

Five women in two separate cases have been arrested and charged recently with smuggling bomb detonators and explosive materials from Malaysia into Indonesia.

Hera Diani, Jakarta – Although the government has completed the revision of the controversial decree on the establishment of places of worship, Christians are skeptical it will succeed in its aim of improving interfaith relations.

Jakarta – Representatives of all major religions in Indonesia joined hands Saturday to condemn the publication of cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad. Their united front comes amid concerns that some forces are using the row to set off a wider conflict between Muslims and Christians.

Jakarta – Hundreds of protesters from the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) attacked the US Embassy on Sunday during a rally accusing Washington of masterminding the controversy about cartoons of Prophet Muhammad to destroy Islam.

Jakarta – As the increase in the number of roads is not corresponding with the increase in the number of cars, by 2014, some cars might never make it to the open road, a survey on the city's land transportation showed Saturday.

Ken Yunita, Jakarta – The debate over the question of giving voting rights to the TNI (Indonesian military) and the police continues to provoke discussion. The People's Democratic Party (PRD) agrees with members of the TNI and police participating in the 2009 general elections.

The installation this week of Marshal Djoko Suyanto, previously chief of the air force, as head of Indonesia's armed forces made front-page news. The armed forces formally withdrew from politics only in 2004, when they gave up their reserved seats in parliament, bringing to an end dwi fungsi, their dual political and military function.

Soeryo Winoto, Jakarta – "He who knows not that he knows not is a fool, shun him!" That's the old saying for ignorant people who are not aware of their ignorance, but instead believe they are smart.

Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso has become obsessed with the idea that the megalopolitan concept of development is the answer to the capital's numerous long-standing problems.

ID Nugroho, Surabaya – State Minister of the Environment Rachmat Witoelar has defended the government's out-of-court settlement with PT Newmont Minahasa Raya, saying US$30 million was better than no compensation at all.

Urip Hudiono, Jakarta – The government has prepared a package of 153 policy actions for this year to encourage private investment in the much-needed development of infrastructure to support higher economic growth.

Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono said Friday that several articles in the Military Criminal Code, mainly pertaining to prosecution of Indonesian Military (TNI) personnel, needed amendment.

Jakarta – Outgoing Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto's suggestion that soldiers be allowed to vote in the 2009 elections has caused an outcry among those who fear the military still has too much power.

Tb. Arie Rukmantara and Suherdjoko, Jakarta/Semarang/Makassar – Despite 512 arrests from an ongoing operation to curb illegal logging in Java and the promise of more detentions, an activist says the crackdown will do little to reduce the environmental cost to local communities.

Washington – Indonesia must give immediate priority to completing tax, labour and other key reforms aimed at drawing investments crucial to boosting economic growth, a senior IMF official said.

Fadli, Batam – Holding his five-year-old son, Arman stared at a dark-colored pool of water near his house in Batam, Riau Islands province. The pool is a "souvenir" from sand mining in the area.

Iqbal Fadil, Jakarta – The Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) has put forward four preconditions that have to be met before the right to vote is given to members of the TNI (Indonesian military).

Multa Fidrus, Tangerang – Tangerang Mayor Wahidin Halim vowed Thursday to come down hard on anyone stepping out of line because of drink or women.

Vincent Lingga, Jakarta – The country's economic growth rose to 5.60 percent last year from 5.13 percent in 2004. While this may seem like good news, there is reason to worry, because expansion in 2005 was lower than the official target of 6 percent.

Joniansyah, Jakarta – The Department for Culture and Tourism this afternoon launched the National Movement for Clean Public Toilets. The event took place at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta, the Juanda Airport in Surabaya and the Ngurah Rai Airport in Denpasar Bali.

Jakarta – Police must protect the witnesses of the 1989 Talangsari massacre from harassment and intimidation, the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) says.

Muninggar Sri Saraswati, Jakarta – The former National Intelligence Agency (BIN) deputy chief, whose name has come up in connection to the murder of human rights campaigner Munir, has gone on the defensive, telling lawmakers he has nothing to hide.

Several regional administrations have introduced bylaws that support the implementation of sharia, which observers fear could upset relations between religious groups in the pluralistic country. Constitutional Court President Jimly Asshiddiqie expressed his views on the matter in an interview with The Jakarta Post's Muninggar Sri Saraswati and Dwi Atmanta.

Hera Diani, Jakarta – There is much to enjoy from overseas trips, but Vice President Jusuf Kalla says the praise he hears heaped on Indonesia's democratic transition has begun to grate.

Adriana Nina Kusuma, Jakarta – The world's biggest gold miner, Newmont Mining Corp., is paying Indonesia $30 million to settle a civil suit over pollution, but will still face criminal charges in a case closely watched by foreign investors.

Fitraya Ramadhanny, Jakarta – The Draft Law on Pornography has received support and opposition from the public. The Children's Rights Monitoring Foundation (YPHA) includes those who reject it. They believe that the draft law will not address the real problem.

Overprescribed and overpriced. Tuesday's special report on medicines cast some light on one of the country's health care management failings, detailing how as consumers, Indonesians are at the mercy of unscrupulous doctors and drug companies.

Jakarta – The economy expanded 5.6 percent last year, higher than 2004, with increased government spending compensating for sagging private consumption and investment hit by the rise in inflation and interest rates, the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) says.

Maruli Ferdinand, Jakarta – The Indonesian Human Rights Monitor (Imparsial) opposes the Indonesian military (TNI) being given the right to vote in the 2009 general elections. The problem is that the TNI has yet to complete its agenda of reform.

Tiarma Siboro, Jakarta – Outgoing Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto, who once fiercely rejected the idea of soldiers voting in general elections, has changed his mind.

Muninggar Sri Saraswati, Jakarta – House of Representatives legislators voiced their opposition Tuesday to a series of government regulations on broadcasting, which took effect on Feb. 5.

"We reject the regulations," said legislator Marzuki Darusman of the Golkar Party, representing the House Commission I on defense and information.

Jakarta – The Islam Defenders Front (FPI) has dropped its charges against an actor who appeared nude in photographs featured in an exhibition last year at the Bank Indonesia Museum, Central Jakarta.

"Anjasmara (the actor) has approached the FPI to apologize," FPI lawyer Sugito said after filing the request to drop the charges Monday.

Kupang – Hundreds of students and activists grouped in the Kupang Education and Health Awareness Forum staged protest Monday against the 2006 provincial draft budget, which is slated to be approved Feb. 17.

Oyos Saroso H.N., Bandarlampung – Ignoring public criticism, Bandarlampung and West Lampung councillors are moving ahead with proposals to give themselves each a Rp 60 million (US$6,451) housing allowance in their 2006 budgets.

Tony Hotland, Jakarta – If you are one of the millions awaiting a response after sending a letter or SMS of complaint to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, don't take it personally.

Indra Harsaputra, Surabaya – Reni (not her real name), 25, was puzzled as she looked at a vending machine to be installed in a red-light district here in February – a device previously unfamiliar to her.

Iqbal Fadil, Jakarta – The murder of human rights activist Munir will never be solved. This is because the National Intelligence Agency (BIN) and the national police are holding all of the respective facts and will never reveal them.

Tangerang – Hundreds of protesters blocked the rear entrance to Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on Monday, causing traffic congestion from Tangerang to the airport.

The protesters were upset over what they claimed was the assault of five residents of Selapajang subdistrict by airport security guards.

Hera Diani, Jakarta – If you are a health consumer in Indonesia some of these situations may be familiar to you.

Padang, West Sumatra – More than 200 sidewalk vendors staged a protest at Padang City Hall on Monday, demanding that the city's public order personnel stop abusing them during raids.

Jakarta – The conflict between Supreme Court justices and Judicial Commission officials has taken a new twist with a report the judges are plotting to destroy the commission.

Rendi Akhmad Witular, Jakarta – The government may take legal action against PT Freeport Indonesia, a local unit of US giant Freeport-McMoran Copper & Gold Inc., if the gold and copper miner is found to have polluted the environment near its mining concession in Papua.

Nethy Dharma Somba, Jayapura – In a high-profile illegal logging trial, the Jayapura District Court on Monday returned the case against Papua Forestry Office head Marthen Kayoi to the prosecution, advising that the charges against the official are "premature".

Jakarta – The government will go ahead with its plans to repay Indonesia's debts to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) ahead of schedule, the finance minister said, citing a preliminary study from the central bank that showed the country was financially capable of doing so and the benefits that would result.

Anissa S. Febrina, Jakarta – The stark reality of the bandied-about terms "high-cost economy" or "increased operating costs" may come down to the resulting worker layoffs.