Jakarta – Unlike the old system for handling industrial disputes under the Regional and Central Committee for Settlements of Industrial Disputes (P4D and P4P), the new one based on the labor court cuts through complicated legal proceedings.

Jakarta – Taking an industrial dispute to the labor court will figure at the end of a new, expedited process of seeking a settlement.

If a dispute does reach the court after negotiations and mediation have failed, judges will be obliged to study cases registered with the court within seven days and required to finish trying them within 30 days.

Anissa S. Febrina, Jakarta – While public sympathy is rarely on the side of a firm that lays off workers, the fact is that Indonesian employers have long had it far from their own way.

Aguswandi, Banda Aceh – The fundamental problem facing Muslims and others seeking to understand Islam is not that there are too many versions of Islam. There is only one Islam, but there are a thousand possible interpretations of its texts and precepts. All lay people claim to possess the indisputable truth, all claim that no version but their own can be true.

Semarang – At least 300 farmers in the plantation area of Rumpun Sari Kaligintung owned by PT Perkebunan Nusantara (PTPN) IX, have complained about the company to the governor. They are demanding that the government revoke the company's business permit (HGU) because they believe it has implemented a system of forced cultivation on local farmers.

Wahyoe Boediwardhana, Malang, Kupang – Flash floods swept through the East Java cities of Malang, Kediri and Jombang on Wednesday, leaving one person dead and destroying dozens of residences as well as public buildings.

Playboy bunnies have been around for more than 50 years, but they've never quite made their mark in Indonesia. But that's all about to change with a local version of Playboy magazine about to hit the newstands. The move has angered conservative Indonesians and fuelled a growing public debate on pornography.

Presenter/Interviewer: Bernadette Nunn

Tony Hotland, Jakarta – Eleventh-hour lobbying paid off for the government Tuesday when most House factions refused to back a proposal to probe the controversial rice import policy.

The Association of Land Transportation Owners (Organda) is giving the government some room to maneuver on its threat to call a nationwide strike in early February.

Abdul Khalik, Jakarta – Amid the hoopla over the city's high crime rate, some police officers are making a quick buck by working as security guards. Security services are in high demand due the recent crime wave in the city.

Jakarta – The Judicial Commission promised Tuesday to investigate the judges who acquitted two military generals of all charges in connection with the 1984 Tanjung Priok massacre where troops shot dead up to 100 people.

Semarang – Thousands of farmers from the Central Java National Farmers Union (Serikat Tani Nasional, STN) went to the offices of the Central Java governor in Semarang on Wednesday January 25. The demonstrators gave speeches and put up posters and banners that opposed rice imports that they believe will severely damage farmers.

Bill Guerin, Jakarta – Recent comments by Indonesian Minister for State-Owned Enterprises Sugiharto that Jakarta planned to "buy back" a stake in publicly listed Indosat, the country's second-largest telecommunications operator, raised eyebrows in Singapore.

Jakarta, Mataram/Kupang – The central government on Tuesday began laying out plans to assist flood victims in West Nusa Tenggara, while it found itself on the defensive over the effectiveness of its reforestation programs.

Urip Hudiono, Jakarta – Indonesia's economy is set for moderate growth this year as the country struggles to recuperate from last year's slowdown amid lingering high oil prices, a weak investment climate and possible electricity and wage hikes.

Jakarta – A woman is paraded through the streets for public scorn simply because her clothes are deemed too revealing. Another is struck by a "morality enforcer" for the crime of neglecting to wear her headscarf while sitting on her porch.

The Regional Representatives Council (DPD) and local investment agencies have urged the central government to ensure more consistency in investment permit regulations as many foreign investors are reluctant to do business here due to a lack of legal uncertainty.

Emmy Kuswandari, Jakarta – After a period of reducing the number of military personnel tasked with guarding vital installations such as ExxonMobil and Freeport, the TNI (Indonesian military) will again be increasing troops numbers assisting these companies.

Tiarma Siboro, Jakarta – With continuing questions over its role in safeguarding the property of private companies, the military has asked for clear regulations to provide a "legal umbrella" for its personnel.

Jakarta/Kupang – Floods and landslides triggered by heavy rains have claimed lives in three provinces, including the resort islands of Bali and Lombok.

Rita A.Widiadana, Denpasar – The classic picture-postcard views of Bali, with its gorgeous multitiered rice fields and toiling farmers, could soon cease to exist as more and more villagers decide they can make more money selling their land than working it.

Jakarta – Human rights activists plan to file a review with the Judicial Commission on Tuesday questioning the integrity of the justices handling the 1984 Tanjung Priok killings.

The move was made after a panel of Supreme Court justices overruled in mid-January an appeal filed by the prosecutors against Maj. Gen. (ret) Pranowo, the then Jakarta Military Police chief.

Adianto P Simamora and Bambang Nurbianto, Jakarta – An environmental group declared Thursday says the administration is not ready to enforce bylaw No. 2/2005 on air pollution control, which comes into effect next month.

Jakarta – Former home affairs minister Rudini, who died Saturday at age 76, was known as a rare New Order politician of integrity, evident in his willingness to speak out about bureaucratic ills.

The soft-spoken, diminutive former army general was one of the few former Soeharto era ministers spared the hail of recriminations following the end of the administration in 1998.

Jakarta – After eight months of uncertainty over their status, workers of the now-defunct Jakarta News FM radio station rallied in front of the Kelompok Kompas Gramedia (KKG) media group's office in Palmerah, Central Jakarta, on Friday.

Along with the station's sympathizers, they protested what they called the illegal takeover of the radio station.

Endy M. Bayuni, Jakarta – First there was the hearing. Then came the investigation. Next thing we know, in less than a year, President Abdurrahman Wahid was impeached and forced out of office by the House of Representatives in July 2001.

Jakarta – Every year more than 100 Indonesians die while performing the annual haj pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. Most of the dead are elderly or ill.

They often go on the pilgrimage without taking into account their old age or poor health. And despite the risks, they are likely to keep going.

Leony Aurora, Jakarta – Lack of legal certainty continues to dissuade investors from exploring mining prospects in Indonesia, particularly with a bill introducing a licensing scheme to replace the sector's contract of work system currently being deliberated.

Yemris Fointuna and Jon Afrizal, Kupang/Jambi – Continuous rain during the past few days has flooded many villages in East Nusa Tenggara and Jambi, with waters more than a meter deep in some areas.

Thirteen villages were affected by the flooding in Belu and the Rote Ndao regencies. In Rote Ndao a local wharf was destroyed by floodwaters.

Jakarta – Conservative Indonesians are furious about the planned debut of a local edition of raunchy magazine Playboy, fuelling a growing debate on pornography in the world's largest Islamic nation.

[Of Aceh and Turning Tides: Songs to My Sisters. Debra H. Yatim, Acehkita Foundation, Banda Aceh/Jakarta, 2005. 71 pp.]

[The Internet in Indonesia's New Democracy. David T. Hill & Krishna Sen Routledge, 2005, 204 pp.]

Ignatius Haryanto, Jakarta – Over the past few years, Australian researchers David Hill and Krishna Sen have garnered acclaim for their work on Indonesian media.

Australia's enthusiastic embrace of Indonesian democracy overlooks the bleak truth that sweeping political reforms in Jakarta falter when powerful vested interests stand in the way.

Jakarta – In what could add fuel to their sibling rivalry, Rachmawati Soekarnoputri, younger sister of former president Megawati, has crossed family lines and accepted the invitation of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to join his presidential team of advisers, detik.com reported.

M. Azis Tunny, Ambon – About 200 displaced Muslims and Christians rallied in front of the Maluku Legislative Council in Ambon on Friday, demanding the authorities build them adequate houses.

They accused regional and central governments of neglecting their welfare after religious violence forced them to flee Ambon in Jan. 19, 1999.

Depok – Dozens of people claiming to be supporters of former Depok mayor Badrul Kamal staged a protest Friday against the plan to inaugurate mayor-elect Nur Mahmudi Ismail and deputy mayor Yuyun Wirasaputra next week, Tempointeraktif.com reported.

Kupang – At least 20 members of the police mobile brigade (Brimob) unit based in Atambua town went on a rampage in Fatuknutuk village Friday, damaging 12 residents' houses and a number of public facilities, an officer said on Friday.

Tb. Arie Rukmantara, Jakarta – Standing in front of 3,000 people, Mari, a junior high school student, reads out a poem reminding people of how environmentally harmful mining activities can be.

"What will we, your next generation, have to pass on to our children, if you, our elders, leave us a land filled with huge and toxic holes?"

Jakarta – A group of minivan and bus drivers assaulted Thursday a driver for the free school bus in Cilincing, North Jakarta.

Kennedi, 35, a bus driver for the charity organization Dompet Dhuafa, was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment after injuries to his head and face.

Jakarta – The Jakarta administration on Thursday asked neighboring administrations Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, Bekasi and Cianjur to join it in presenting a united front against alcohol.

The capital's industry and trade agency issued a circular in December banning the sale of drinks with more than 5 percent alcohol in supermarkets and hypermarkets.

Jakarta – While noting an improvement in the Indonesian investment climate, the government still has a long way to go to provide a sense of policy certainty to firms doing business here, a US business delegation says.

Yuli Tri Suwarni, Bandung – The West Java Indonesian Ulema Council issued an informal edict Thursday, declaring that a hunger strike by Ciseeng residents as haram, forbidden according to Islam.

The hunger strikers, who the council assumes are followers of Islam, are up in arms over high-voltage lines near their village.

Throughout history there are examples of relatively minor incidents having far-reaching consequences. The arrival by boat of 43 West Papuan asylum seekers at Cape York on Wednesday is potentially one of those times.

Imanuddin Razak, Jakarta – It is apparent that President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has heard the demand that the post of Indonesian Military (TNI) chief be rotated among the three military forces: the Army, Navy and Air Force.

Jakarta – Four Indonesians arrested last week have been named suspects under anti-terrorism laws in October's restaurant bombings on Bali island and for hiding a key militant, police said on Friday.

Leony Aurora and Anissa S. Febrina, Jakarta – The government risks a backlash if it pushes on with a plan to raise power rates by more than the average agreed upon in the 2006 state budget, lawmakers warned Thursday.

Tony Hotland, Jakarta – With Supreme Court justices miffed at plans for an assessment of their suitability to sit on the bench, legislators have taken their side in what threatens to become a tug of war in the corridors of power.

Jakarta – The United States said it was working towards a closer relationship with Indonesia, the world's largest Islamic nation, despite past strains between the two countries.

US ambassador to Jakarta Lynn Pascoe said it was vital for the world's third and fourth most populous nations to have a "perfectly normal" relationship.

Damien Kingsbury, Indonesia expert and Associate Professor of International and Political Studies at Deakin University, writes:

Sian Powell, Jakarta – Indonesia's Kopassus special forces have been directly implicated in thousands of human rights violations in East Timor in a new report documenting instances of murder, rape and torture, just weeks before Australia resumes joint training exercises with the notorious unit.