SINCE September last year, the government has issued 12 economic policy packages aimed at attracting investments and accelerating growth. However, there are hurdles making the policies difficult to implement.

Gazing at the dozens of students gathered, Gus Reza told the story of a blind Jewish woman who reviled the Prophet Muhammad on a daily basis. Gus Reza, whose full name is Kiai Haji Reza Ahmad Zahid, was sitting cross-legged on the mosque's porch area at the Al-Mahrusiyah Islamic boarding school in Kediri, East Java, on the second day of the Ramadan fasting month. Whenever someone approached, said Reza continuing the story, the blind beggar woman who lived in a corner of the market in Medina spread hatred so that people would not believe in Muhammad's message. "Muhammad is a liar, a magician," said the woman, as told by Reza.

Marina Ratna Dwi Kusumajati received two calls on her cell phone in less than half an hour. The calls were from Sigit Sutantiyo and Susiana Martha, employees of state-owned trading company Perusahaan Perdagangan Indonesia (PPI). The two were offering frozen imported beef to Marina, who is CEO of Dharma Jaya market. Marina was open to the offers. "As long as the price is good and the beef is imported legally," she told Tempo last week.

Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Chairman Agus Rahardjo listened to a question posed by Junimart Girsang, a member of the House of Representatives (DPR) law commission. At the meeting on Wednesday last week, the KPK was asked to explain its handling of some cases.

When the deputy chairman of the House of Representatives' (DPR) budget council, Said Abdullah struck the gavel at a meeting inside the legislature building last week, a compromise appeared within reach. Said and other members of the budget council agreed that the target of non-tax receipts (PNBP) from the oil and gas and coal sectors needed to be reduced. "What more can be done? It cannot be improved on any further," said Said after the decision was made.