Indonesia

Indonesian kicks off nationwide election campaign

Indonesian kicks off nationwide election campaignJakarta  - Leaders of Indonesia's political parties on Monday kicked off their nationwide campaigns for the April 9 parliamentary elections, to be followed by presidential elections in July.

Electoral authorities have registered 38 parties to contest 128 seats in the upper house and 560 seats in the lower house.

In Jakarta, representatives of dozens of parties gathered at an exhibition hall to sign a joint declaration for a peaceful campaign.

Rebels kill army soldier in Indonesia's Papua

Rebels kill army soldier in Indonesia's Papua Jakarta  - Separatist rebels killed an army soldier and set a bridge on fire in Indonesia's easternmost province of Papua, media reports said Sunday.

Army Private Saiful was shot in the head Saturday when rebels of the Free Papua Movement (OPM) attacked security posts in Tigginambut of Puncak Jaya district, district police chief Chris Rihulay said.

It was the latest in a series of attacks by separatists in Papua province in recent days.

Myanmar premier to visit Indonesia, Singapore "soon"

Myanmar premier to visit Indonesia, Singapore "soon" Yangon  - Myanmar's prime minister, General Thein Sein, is to visit Indonesia and Singapore shortly in response to invitations from the leaders of the two South-East Asian countries, state media reported Friday.

Chiefs of Indonesia's largest parties meet

Chiefs of Indonesia's largest parties meet Jakarta - The leaders of Indonesia's two largest political parties met Thursday to discuss a possible alliance ahead of this year's presidential elections.

The meeting between Vice President Jusuf Kalla and former president Megawati Sukarnoputri could pave the way for a coalition that could threaten reelection chances of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Megawati, who chairs the Indonesia Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), has been nominated to run in the July presidential election and is seeking a running mate that could boost her electability.

Horse bites off man's testicle in Indonesia

Jakarta - An Indonesian man had to undergo surgery after a horse bit off one of his testicles, news reports said Thursday.

Indonesian Job losses hit 230,000

Indonesian Job losses hit 230,000Jakarta - More than 230,000 Indonesians lost their jobs between October and March as the world's fourth-most-populous nation was battered by the global economic downturn, media reports said Thursday.

Most of the lay-offs were recorded in the textile, garment, automotive, shoe-making, and paper industries, according to Sofyan Wanandi, chairman of the Indonesian Employers' Association (Apindo).

Thousands of job losses were also recorded at palm oil plantations and in construction projects.

Pages