Following are some leading stories in the main Indonesian newspapers on Jan 16.

Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy. Telephone: Editorial: +62-21-384-6364. Fax: +62-21-344-8404 or Help Desk: +803-061-2124 (toll free).

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JAKARTA POST

- WATER REMAINS IN MOST PARTS OF JAKARTA

Some parts of the capital remained flooded on Thursday after several days of torrential rain hit Jakarta, resulting in traffic jams and power cuts.

- PRESIDENT HOPEFUL QUIZZED AS RIOT SUSPECT

Former chief economics minister and presidential hopeful Rizal Ramli was questioned by police after being named a suspect over his alleged involvement in a violent protest against fuel price hikes last year.

- GOVERNMENT PLANS TO TAKE OVER WORKERS TAX LIABILITIES TO HELP FIRMS

The Indonesian government plans to take over employees' income tax liabilities normally paid by companies to help maintain jobs, as Southeast Asia's biggest economy faces slower growth this year and threats of rising unemployment, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said.

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BISNIS INDONESIA

- REGIONAL BANKS TEAM UP IN 4.6 TRLN RPH SYNDICATED LOANS

A consortium of regional banks, led by BPD Papua, plans to channel 4.6 trillion rupiah ($414.4 million) worth of syndicated loans to finance the construction of power plants to generate a total capacity of 10,000 megawatts, BPD Papua's president director said.

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INVESTOR DAILY

-AIR TARIFFS TO BE CUT IMMEDIATELY

Some of Indonesia's airlines will reduce tariffs by between 5-10 percent following fuel price cuts by the government, which included a cut in aviation fuel, Tri S Sunoko, a director at the transport ministry's air transportation board, said.

- TELKOM EYES ISSUING 2 TRLN RPH BONDS

Indonesia's top telecoms firm, PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia <TLKM.JK>, is considering issuing at least 2 trillion rupiah ($180.2 million) in bonds due to cuts in interest rates, which will be used to finance its 2009 capital expenditure, chief director Rinaldi Firmansyah said.

- MANULIFE TARGETS INSURANCE PREMIUM UP TO 30 PCT

Indonesian insurer Manulife Asset Management is targetting growth in insurance premiums of 30 percent this year following last year's 108 percent rise, or around 890 billion rupiah ($80.18 million).

- PLN TO OFFER NEW PROJECT WORTH $2.57 BLN

Indonesia's state power firm PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) will invite tenders to build a 2,000 megawatt (MW) steam power plant project worth $2.57 billion in Pemalang, Central Java.

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KOMPAS

- LAYOFFS THREATEN INDONESIA'S MASPION WORKERS

Workers at Indonesian home appliance maker PT Maspion may lose their jobs if management fails to curb losses after the company reduced work hours and laid off 1,000 contract workers.

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