BASUKI Tjahaja Purnama, popularly called Ahok, decided to run as an independent candidate in next year's Jakarta gubernatorial election, and his decision has been met with excitement. Two weeks ago, after he named financial and regional asset management chief Heru Budi Hartono as his running mate, the support he received through Teman Ahokhis primary volunteer organizationgrew even greater.

THREE weeks ago, floodwaters reached 20 centimeters on Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan, Central Jakarta. Although it had stopped raining, the water was not receding. The cause was finally discovered after water systems officers investigated sewers in front of the energy and mineral resources ministry building. The sewer was clogged with cable wrappingsup to 22 medium truck loads of the stuff.

ON February 21, the government announced a new policy on the use of plastic bags in retail stores: Customers shopping in supermarkets will now be charged Rp200 for every plastic bag they use to carry goods home.

THE recent uproar over the morality of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons was triggered by Research, Technology and Higher Education Minister Muhammad Nasir's comment that people with such sexual orientations were dangerous influences on college campuses and should thus be barred. He later softened his stance.

THE murder charges against Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigator Novel Baswedan have been suspended by the district attorney. The court hearing, which was supposed to be held last Tuesday at Bengkulu District Court, was canceled. The Attorney-General Office (AGO) withdrew the charges a week after documents containing the KPK investigator's case were submitted to the court.

IT took three weeks for the police to name a suspect in Wayan Mirna Salihin's murder case.