Following are some leading stories in the main Indonesian newspapers on Jan 23.

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

- EXXON, CHEVRON TO SUPPLY GAS FOR LOCAL MARKET

Exxon Mobil Corp <XOM.N> and Chevron Corp <CVX.N> signed deals worth $6.76 billion with domestic industries as part of their commitments to supply part of their gas output to the local market.

- INDONESIA VOWS TO SUPPORT FREE TRADE

Indonesia will continue to support free trade and avoid protectionism as it seeks to cope with the fallout from the global financial slowdown, Foreign Minister Hasan Wirajuda said.

- MONEY POURED INTO WEST PAPUA

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono inaugurated development, rehabilitation and construction projects in Sorong and Manokwari in West Papua.

- GOVERNMENT TO SAVE 5.2 TRLN RPH FROM COAL DMO

The implementation of a domestic market obligation (DMO) for coal miners to set aside coal for the local market is expected to save the government 5.29 trillion rupiah ($473.3 million) in electricity subsidies this year, director general of electricity and energy utilisation J Purwono said. - - - -

BISNIS INDONESIA

- INDONESIA'S ALLIANZ EXPECTS HIGHER GROWTH

Indonesia's Allianz Life Insurance is targeting annualised new premiums of 440 billion rupiah ($39.37 million), up from last year's 294 billion rupiah because of an increasing number of sales staff and insurance policies issued.

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KOMPAS

- INDONESIA TO HOLD PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION ON JULY 8

Indonesia's election commission announced that it would hold the presidential election on July 8, with Sept. 8 set for a run-off if necessary.

- JAKARTA TO BUILD THE HIGHEST TOWER IN THE WORLD

Jakarta's municipal government plans to build a 558-metre high "Jakarta Tower", a telecommunication tower that he says will be the highest in the world and projected to cost trillion rupiah ($268.4 million), Governor Fauzi Bowo said.

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JAKARTA GLOBE

- INDONESIA TO SEEK LOANS FOR FLOODING

The government is seeking a $150 million loan from the World Bank and assistance from the Netherlands to deal with flooding in Jakarta and Semarang, director general of water resources Iwan Nursyirwan said.

- GOVERNMENT TO CURB RUBBER EXPORTS IN Q1

The Indonesian government plans to curb rubber exports by 116,000 tons in the first quarter of this year as part of an agreement between the world's three biggest rubber-producing nations to control falling prices.

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