June 29, 2008 - July 5, 2008

July 1, 2008
RI, Japan ready to implement EPA deals
Indonesia and Japan will commence their Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) on July 1 by forming a joint committee, eliminating thousands of import duties and sending Indonesian nurses to Japan.

Govt to limit reimbursable items under cost recovery scheme
The government is wrapping up a new regulation that will eliminate 17 expenses that oil and gas contractors can currently claim for reimbursement under the cost recovery scheme, a minister says.

Lawmaker nabbed in new bribery case
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Monday detained a member of the House of Representatives' Commission V overseeing transportation for allegedly taking bribes of US$60,000 and 10,000 euro from an unknown party.

July 2, 2008
Businessman detained for bribing lawmaker
After arresting Reform Star Party (PBR) lawmaker Bulyan Royan on Monday, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) detained a businessman for allegedly giving bribes to the legislator.

Bulyan arrest adds to House woes
House of Representatives' member Bulyan Royan of the Reform Star Party is the fifth active lawmaker to be arrested by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) for bribery this year.

Jakarta teens enlisted in fight against drugs
Asep Suryana, 15, who just graduated junior high school in East Jakarta, recalls the day he found some classmates doing drugs in a school bathroom.

Number of poor falls by 2.21m, says statistics body
The number of people defined as poor fell by 2.21 million between March 2007 and March 2008, according to the Central Statistics Agency (BPS).

July 3, 2008
Brokerage common in House, MPs say
Being a House of Representatives lawmaker opens up the chance for lucrative moonlighting. Some lawmakers have taken time from their busy legislative schedule to act as middlemen for regional governments or companies seeking government contracts.

Ministry officials named in Bulyan's bribery case
More House of Representatives lawmakers and some government officials may have been involved in the alleged bribery involving Reform Star Party politician Bulyan Royan and businessman Dedi Suwarsono.

Gangs rule North Jakarta as local govt fails
Jakartans may like to think of their hometown as a prominent 21st century world-class city.

July 4, 2008
Ex-BI chiefs blamed for corruption
Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) prosecutors on Thursday revealed the role of Bank Indonesia's board of governors in the misappropriation of Rp 100 billion (US$10.9 million) belonging to its foundation in 2003.

South Sumatra terrorist suspects linked to Noordin
Police said Thursday the nine terror suspects arrested in South Sumatra recently had connections to fugitive Jamaah Islamiyah figures Noordin Moh. Top and Mas Slamet Kastari.

'Tempo' loses legal battle to RAPP
In what was called a "grave for press freedom" in Indonesia, a court here ruled Thursday in favor of a pulp and paper firm in a long-standing dispute with Koran Tempo daily newspaper.

July 5, 2008
Jakarta and Tangerang face power blackouts
Jakarta and Tangerang will face scheduled electricity blackouts in the coming weeks, as two power stations feeding the city will run out of gas to fuel their generators, an official says.

5 die of malnutrition in Bone
Four-year-old Santou is suffering from acute malnutrition and currently undergoing intensive treatment at the Tenriawaru General Hospital in Bone regency, South Sulawesi.

Terror suspects were planning to bomb cafe: Police
Ten terrorism suspects arrested this week planned to attack a cafe in the West Sumatra town of Bukittingi using bombs packed with bullets, police have learned during questioning.

Capital warned of possible terrorist attacks
Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo has warned residents in the capital of possible terrorist attacks following the arrests of 10 terror suspects in South Sumatra.

July 6, 2008
Let the Games begin
The 17th National Games (PON) officially opened in Samarinda, East Kalimantan, on Saturday with an appeal from President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to use the event as a springboard to international sporting glory.

Taking out the trash at Robot Olympiad
The fifth annual Indonesian Robot Olympiad is underway in Jakarta, with 124 elementary and secondary school children from across the country participating in teams of two.