AT the Amanatul Ummah Islamic Boarding School in Pacet, Mojokerto, East Java, thousands of copies of a tabloidwith a cartoon of Joko Widodo on the cover done in the style of the Tintin comicwere distributed. The name of the tabloid is Pelayan Rakyat (People's Servant). "It is free and enlightening and not misleading," said vice-presidential candidate Jusuf Kalla (JK), who received a round of applause from the students in attendance, on Monday night last week.

TNI (Indonesian Military) Commander in Chief General Moeldoko must now face charges that the armed forces he leads have not been neutral in the campaigning of the upcoming presidential elections. From the lowest private to the top generals, they are accused of supporting either one of the candidates.

IN the 1990s, the Kumala brothers were known as jet-set businessmen in Jakarta. Cahyadi and Haryadi Kumala were often connected to the 'Gang of Nine' mafia, which controlled gambling, prostitution and drugs in the capital. The two own the Millenium discotheque on the fifth floor of Gajah Mada Plaza in Central Jakarta, which is still open today.

PILGRIMS usually do not complain. They believe in the words of the Almighty, that Muslims who intend to carry out the fifth pillar of Islam must refrain from misconduct during the pilgrimage, including arguing and complaining. "We all go to the Holy Land only for worship and more worship," said Riyono, 75, who went on the haj pilgrimage a few years ago.