The right of assembly The question of licenses needed for various purposes has once again come to the fore. Among the reasons is the fact that Police Brig. Gen. (ret.) Mrs. Roekmini Koesoemo was recently denied the opportunity to speak at a meeting in Surabaya because of the lack of a permit. And most recently a get-together planned for W.S. Rendra at Emha Ainun Najib's house in Yogyakarta was canceled because no permit had been obtained.

Fire victims asked not to rebuild home JAKARTA (JP): District authorities announced Saturday that attempts to persuade West Tebet fire victims not to rebuild at the fire site were paying off. "So far, the situation is under control. They are willing to listen to what we say and wait," Santoso RA, chief of Tebet District, told The Jakarta Post. On Saturday, the district chief, in the company of dozens of police officers, inspected the area destroyed by a three-hour fire on Wednesday morning.

Infrastructure developed on Bintan island JAKARTA (JP): The infrastructure constructed on Bintan Island, which is part of the triangle of growth linking Singapore, the Malaysian state of Johor and the Indonesian province of Riau, is now ready to support the development of tourist and industrial facilities. "Development of infrastructure on the island for tourist and industrial facilities is excellent.

Five Danish shuttlers suffering diarrhea JAKARTA (JP): Diarrhea took its toll as Denmark suffered a surprising 2-3 loss to South Korea in the Thomas Cup men's team badminton championships on Friday. The stomach virus hit five team members, world beater singles stars Thomas Stuer-Lauridsen and Poul-Erik Hoyer-Larsen and doubles specialists Thomas Henrik Svarre, Michael Sogaard and Jim Laugesen.

Your Letters The destiny of Tanah Lot I tried not to believe in what I was reading in this paper Tanah Lot project wins approval from government (The Jakarta Post, May 4, 1994).

Councilor warns hospitals about waste plant deadline JAKARTA (JP): A city councilor is warning city hospitals of the punitive actions ahead if they fail to meet the October deadline set by the municipal administration to build waste water treatment plants. "Because the government has already extended the deadline for a year there will be no excuse for them not to install the plants," Councilor Muhamad Rodja of the United Development Party (PPP) faction said on Saturday.

Operation Cleansing will rate liquor factories JAKARTA (JP): The ongoing military-sponsored Operation Cleansing anti-crime drive, which has been confiscating liquor from dealers and retailers, will begin raiding liquor producers. Brig. Gen. Wiranto, chief of staff of the City Military Command, told the press on Saturday that his office had discussed the move with related agencies. The concerned institutions include the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Trade.

Haj controversy incited by third party: Minister JAKARTA (JP): The controversy surrounding the haj pilgrimage, which at one time threatened to became a diplomatic row between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia, was started by irresponsible people bent on disrupting the entire operation. Minister of Religious Affairs Tarmizi Taher disclosed on Saturday that the confusion about the pilgrimage was sown by certain people to create disturbances. Tarmizi declined to go into specifics.

Focus on Jakarta Impounded buses replaced Two state-owned public transportation companies, PPD and DAMRI, began operating 50 tourist buses over the weekend to replace those impounded because their drivers failed to close the doors while they were in motion. "PPD operates 15 buses, 10 of which are air conditioned, while DAMRI operates 35, five of which are also air conditioned," Hamim Busro, PPD's public relations officer, told The Jakarta Post.

Caning case sparks S'pore book, play SINGAPORE (Agencies): American teenager Michael Fay's controversial caning -- expected to be the subject of books and possibly made-for-television movies in the United States -- is featured in a book and a play now in the works here, Singapore's Sunday Times reported. It said Straits Times journalist Asad Latif, who wrote several commentaries on the case, is writing the yet untitled book of 100 to 120 pages. He is now negotiating with a publisher.

All set for second Bapindo courtroom battle By Imanuddin JAKARTA (JP): The stage is set for the trial of the second suspect in the Rp 1.3 trillion (US$620 million) loan scandal at the government-owned Bank Pembangunan Indonesia (Bapindo). Maman Suparman, formerly deputy manager of Bapindo's Jakarta branch, is scheduled to appear at the South Jakarta District Court today for arraignment, also on corruption charges.

Across the Archipelago Governor injured in car crash DILI, East Timor: Governor Abilio Jose Osorio Soares suffered leg injuries when the car which he was driving was hit by a van on Saturday night. Although Abilio was flown yesterday to Jakarta for further treatment, doctors at Dili general hospital emphasized that the injury was not "very serious." "He is an official, so he needs intensive care.

Business news in briefs NZ business mission here JAKARTA (JP): Representatives from 25 New Zealand engineering companies are currently in Jakarta to forge closer business ties with Indonesian companies in the field. The engineering companies cover a wide range of sectors. Chris Burrows from the Bank of New Zealand said one of the major obstacles to acquiring projects in Indonesia is that local clients prefer long-term funding packages, which many New Zealand companies do not have.

PM Keating set for two visits to Jakarta CANBERRA (AFP): Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating is expected to make his third visit to Indonesia in 18 months in June, in a bid to further boost ties with Jakarta, officials said yesterday. The prime minister is due to attend a major trade fair and to hold talks with Indonesia's President Soeharto, during the two- day trip, they said.

Where to go in Jakarta, May 16 Music * The Aryaduta Jakarta, Jl. Prapatan 44-48, Central Jakarta: - Ambassador Lounge: Amir (pianist) Monday to Friday 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.; Boece (pianist) & Rima Monday to Thursday 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., Friday & Saturday 7 p.m. to 00:30 a.m.; Jakarta String Fantasy Trio (chamber music) Sunday 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday to Saturday 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Yusuf (pianist), Sunday 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Consumer group adopts more aggressive plan JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Consumer Foundation (YLKI), which celebrated its 21st anniversary this month, is planning to adopt a new, less conventional approach in pushing for greater consumer protection. The foundation needs new strategies to strengthen its function as an organization which supports consumers, its executive director Zumrotin K.S. said on Saturday. "We can't depend on our conventional ways anymore.

Indonesia survives scares to outpoint China 5-0 in Thomas Cup JAKARTA (JP): In what could well prove to be a rehearsal for the final on May 21, the Indonesian favorites comfortably overcame China 5-0 in their last round-robin match in the Thomas Cup at Senayan indoor stadium on Saturday night. With the win, Indonesia emerged as Group A champion and will meet Group B runner-up in the cross-over semifinals scheduled for May 17-18.

Bapindo prosecution hobbled JAKARTA (JP): Lawyers defending businessman Eddy Tansil in the Bapindo scandal laid into prosecutors on Saturday, pointing out holes in the government's case which they say render the dossier defective. Gani Djemat, the senior lawyer in Tansil's defense team, attacked prosecution on four separate points: First, he said the prosecution's case was too vague.

Pudjiadi to build apartments in Bali JAKARTA (JP): PT Pudjiadi Prestige Ltd. will construct a 180- unit apartment building in the tourist town of Kuta in Bali with an investment of Rp 50 billion (US$23.25 million). Kosmian Pudjiadi, the company's executive director, announced here on Saturday that the apartments will be built at the complex of the firm's Kuta Palace Hotel, which has been operating since 1984. He said the apartments will be constructed in two phases.

Discontent can be destructive, Soeharto warns JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto warns that some members of society who are discontent with the rate of development may become nihilistic in venting their frustration. "There are those who are impatient and would resort to actions that disrupt national stability. They might even be willing to destroy all that we have built. We have to stay alert," Soeharto said on Saturday in Jambi where he inaugurated a new highway.

TV today TVRI 2:30 p.m. Puppet Show: Peter Pan and the Pirates 3:05 Music Program 3:30 Unsolved Mysteries 4:30 Student Quiz 5:00 Regional News 5:30 Wayang Appreciation 6:05 Nusantara the Beloved Country: East Nusa Tenggara 6:15 Village Program 6:30 Religious Teachings: Buddhism 7:00 Evening News 7:30 TV Drama 8:05 TV Series: Golden Years 9:00 World News 9:25 Badminton Journal: Thomas Cup & Uber Cup 10:55 Music Program 11:00 Late News 11:10 Film: Day One Part One Program 2 4:30 p.m.

Privatization of car testing gets mixed reaction JAKARTA (JP): City councilors and operators of public transit vehicles voiced mixed opinions about the city administration's plan to privatize vehicle testing. The city administration has appointed two private firms -- PT Nakia and PT SAWU -- to handle vehicle tests.

Jim Bolger begins tour of Indonesia JAKARTA (JP): New Zealand Prime Minister Jim Bolger arrived in the central Java town of Yogyakarta yesterday to kick off his three-day visit to Indonesia. Bolger, and his delegation of about 25 people including his wife and top officials of his government, is scheduled to fly to Jakarta this morning and proceed directly to formal talks with President Soeharto.

ASEAN -- At A Glance Eight killed in bus collision BANGKOK (Reuter): Eight passengers were killed when their tour bus and an oil tanker collided north of Bangkok yesterday, police said. The victims and 12 other injured passengers were taken to hospital at Saraburi 112 kilometers north of Bangkok, officials at Saraburi provincial hospital said. The bus, carrying 36 passengers, was traveling from Bangkok to Mukdahan when it was in a head-on collision with the tanker, the hospital official said.

A sense of nationalism Although the context may not quite be the same, we cannot help but be reminded of the words of Jose Ortega y Gasset as we recall President Soeharto's recent call for Indonesians once again to strengthen their sense of nationalism as the nation stands on the threshold of its second long-term development cycle. Nations, according to the Spanish philosopher, are formed and kept alive by the fact that they have a program for tomorrow.

Existing rulings need reviewing to narrow tax gap JAKARTA (JP): Existing regulations must be reviewed to narrow the tax gap between the central government and regional administrations, officials say. "We must review all the regulations to balance tax revenues between the regional administrations and central government," said Warsito Rasman, the director general for the development of regional autonomy of the Ministry of Home Affairs, in a seminar at the University of Indonesia here on Saturday.

Seminar on commodities exchange planned JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Commodity Exchange Executive Agency (Bapebti) and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) will hold a regional workshop on commodity exchange from May 17 to May 19 in Jakarta to discuss the risk management of commodity exchanges.

AIDS info ignores women, say critics JAKARTA (JP): Information about the Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) are strongly biased against women, AIDS campaigners say. This is particularly true when it comes to prostitutes, who are depicted as primary infectors.

Low-cost housing put on exhibition JAKARTA (JP): Around 25,000 visitors are expected to the first exhibition of low-cost houses at the Tiara Graha arena at Senayan, Central Jakarta, from Sept. 2 to Sept. 11. "The housing exposition, designed to display houses for people with low incomes, will be officially opened by State Minister of Public Housing Akbar Tandjung," Djamal Pattimahu, president of PT Citra Limapesi, the organizer of the exhibition, told reporters here on Saturday.

South Korea and Malaysia move to Thomas Cup semis JAKARTA (JP): Malaysia, behind the doubles pair of Tan Kim Her and Yap Kim Hock, beat Denmark 4-1 last night to douse the Danes' dream of securing a semifinal slot in the Thomas Cup badminton championships at Senayan indoor stadium. The victory put Malaysia atop Group B, with South Korea securing second place after downing Thailand 4-1.

Thailand vows 'eye for an eye' against Malaysia in SEA Games JAKARTA, (JP): Thailand has vowed to avenge the 4-1 loss it suffered to Malaysia last Tuesday, saying it is waiting to unveil a "secret weapon" against the Malaysian team. "I'm convinced we can beat Malaysia in the next SEA Games," said team manager Vanchai Sansaniyakulvilai on Saturday. The northern Thai city of Chiang Mai, renowned for its attractive women, will host the 14th Southeast Asian Games in December 1995.

Weekly review on Jakarta Stock Exchange By Sigma Batara JAKARTA (JP): Most investors took on a cautious stance last week in anticipation of another interest rate hike by the United States Federal Reserve. While long-term foreign fund managers were visibly building up their portfolios, local investors showed more interest in speculative short-term strategy.

The Greening of the PCs: What does it mean to us? By Zatni Arbi JAKARTA (JP): Green happens to be my favorite color. Perhaps that's also the reason I like singing Tom Jones' ever popular song, Green, green grass of home. And today, while we in Jakarta seem to be voraciously making our surroundings grayer and grayer, people in other parts of the world have been finding ways and taking real actions to create more green in the places where they live, work and play. The results?