CASUALTIES DURING 2012'S IDUL FITRI EXODUS RISE By Fardah

     Jakarta, Aug 24, 2012 (ANTARA) - Latest data from the Indonesian police has revealed that the number of deaths resulting from accidents that took place during the Idul Fitri exodus this year has increased compared with the number of casualties in the same period last year.
     Some 689 people have been killed in as many as 3,927 traffic accidents that occurred between August     11 and August 21, during which time more than 10 million holiday travelers headed home and later returned after celebrating the festival with their families and friends in their hometowns.

FIRST DAY ATTENDANCE AT WORK IN SPOTLIGHT AFTER IDUL FITRI HOLIDAYS by Fardah

      Jakarta, Aug 24 (ANTARA) - As Idul Fitri holidays ended, civil servants were expected to show up at work throughout Indonesia on Thursday (Aug 23) or face sanctions if they extended their holidays without prior notice.

      This year, Indonesian Muslims celebrated Idul Fitri, the largest and most important Muslim holiday that marks the completion of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting, on Aug 19 and 20.

INDONESIA TO OFFER HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE TO ROHINGYAS By Fardah

     Jakarta, Aug 17, 2012 (ANTARA) - After expressing concern for and solidarity with the Rohingya ethnic minority, Indonesia will now offer concrete assistance to the community, which has become a victim of discrimination and violence in Myanmar`s Rakhine province.
     In his state of the nation address to the Parliament on Thursday, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono reiterated Indonesia`s commitment towards solving the problems of the Rohingya Muslims.

HOMEWARD-BOUND TRAVELERS URGED TO TAKE SAFETY-FIRST APPROACH By Fardah

      Jakarta, Aug 16, 2012 (ANTARA) - The police have placing ads along the highways, which read "Give Priority to Safety: Your Family Is Waiting For You at Home", to remind motorbikers and car drivers to drive carefully and abide by the traffic regulations.
     The ads campaign is very relevant given the fact that Indonesia`s roads are prone to traffic accidents due to reckless drivers and traffic congestion. 

REMITTANCES FROM MIGRANTS SOFTEN GLOBAL ECONOMIC CRISIS BLOW By Fardah

      Jakarta, Aug 9, 2012 (ANTARA) - A huge banner reading, "Welcome Foreign Exchange Heroes," has been put up in the arrival lounge of the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, to welcome Indonesian migrant workers, which mostly include young women from rural areas who work overseas as domestic helpers.
     With annual remittances totaling around US $6 billion, migrant workers have become the second largest contributor to Indonesia`s foreign exchange reserves.

SOEKARNO-HATTA EXPANSION TO BOOST INVESTMENT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH: PRESIDENT By Fardah

Jakarta, Aug 3, 2012 (ANTARA) - A major-scale expansion project of the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Indonesia`s main international airport and the 12th busiest airport in the world was inaugurated by President Soesilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Thursday.

The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by among others Vice President Boediono.  The renovation, which is expected to be completed in 2014, should help increase the airport`s passenger as well as flight capacities significantly. Construction work has already begun at Terminal 3, which is expected to raise annual passenger capacity to 25 million from 4 million.