PRESS DIGEST-Indonesian newspapers - Nov 21

Following are some leading stories in the main Indonesian newspapers on Nov 21.

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JAKARTA GLOBE

- ABURIZAL BAKRIE SAYS TO END POLITICAL CAREER

Aburizal Bakrie, the country's richest man who is Indonesia's chief social welfare minister, said he will not resign from his ministerial post but will end his political career after his term ends next year.

- EU SENDS INSPECTORS TO HELP IMPROVE FLIGHT SAFETY

France and the Netherlands plan to send flight inspectors to help Indonesian inspectors examine aircraft to meet European safety standards, Transportation Minister Jusman Safii Djamal said.

- JASA MARGA INSTALLS PUMPS ON AIRPORT TOLL ROAD

Indonesian toll road operator, PT Jasa Marga Tbk (JSMR.JK), said it has installed 28 pumps along the toll road to the Jakarta International Airport in anticipation of flooding during the rainy season.

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JAKARTA POST

- REGENCIES IN EAST KALIMANTAN FAIL FINANCIAL AUDIT RESULTS

Only one out of 14 regencies in East Kalimantan province, home to some of the country's top coal miners, failed to received disclaimer status from Indonesia's Supreme Audit Agency (BPK), the chairman of the agency said.

- RIAUPULP LAYS OFF 2,000 WORKERS AMID RAW MATERIAL CRISIS

PT Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper (Riaupulp) laid off as many as 2,000 workers, or about half of its labour force, due to the prolonged raw material crisis.

- INDONESIAN AIRLINES SCALE DOWN 2009 TARGETS DUE TO SLOWDOWN

Indonesian airlines are scaling back their targets for 2009 as the global economic slowdown is likely to slash the number of tourists and a decline in the rupiah currency will hurt the industry.

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BISNIS INDONESIA

- SAMPOERNA AGRO PLANS TO EXPAND PALM OIL PLANTATION AREA

Indonesian palm oil plantation company, PT Sampoerna Agro (SGRO.JK), is aiming to boost its plantation area by 12,000-15,000 hectares by the end of this year.

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INVESTOR DAILY

- PUBLICLY LISTED FIRMS TO GET 5 PCT INCOME TAX CUT

Market watchdog Bapepam said publicly listed firms which meet several requirements are entitled to get a 5 percent cut in tax, with the regulations due to be issued at the end of November.

- - - - ($1 = 11,950 rupiah)