Goat testicles earn national recognition By Johannes Simbolon JAKARTA (JP): The traffic, as usual, moved slowly along Jl. Kendal in Central Jakarta because dozens of parked cars crowded the narrow street. The owners of the cars were enjoying their lunch in the food stalls that line the right side of the street. Wide banners carry the names of each shop -- Haji Soleh Kumis, Acang Karna Kumis, Enday Kumis, Anduy Kumis, Jaya Kumis, Muksin Kumis. The banners all sport a mustache (kumis).

Would you like fries with that, sir? By Rita A. Widiadana JAKARTA (JP): Hundreds of people willingly stood in line for hours when Jakarta's first McDonald's outlet opened four years ago. What did they expect under the lionized golden arches? It served the same stuff as other fast-food franchises already operating in town. But McDonald's beefburgers, cheeseburgers, Filet-o-Fish, french fries, fried chicken, apple pies, sundaes and specialty Big Mac drew them in.

Give priority to agro-industry: Soeharto CILEUNGSI, Bogor, West Java (JP): President Soeharto called on farmers and entrepreneurs yesterday to focus on horticulture and the agro-industry because of the potential for added value. "Our horticultural products are actually not inferior to foreign products. But we must admit that many of us still put them on a low priority scale," he said in a ceremony to celebrate the 15th World Food Day.

Finding a krone to give you a baht JAKARTA (JP): It seems, if the letters to the editor are any indication, that the most read part of The Jakarta Post is the currency conversion rate table. Not only the rates are interesting but the names of the world's currencies also have some fascinating and scurrilous stories behind them. The Swiss? Are they really so frank? And the Japanese? Do they have a yen to yell banzai as Sony conquers the world?

Children, youths priority in anti-AIDS program By Mark Connolly CHIANG MAI, Thailand (JP): Instead of examining sexual health and education for the prevention of AIDS, I thought our minds could explore some broader frameworks that may enable our societies to improve the health and wealth-being of children and youth, which in turn could have a dramatic effect on the AIDS pandemic. For we should all recognize the fact that healthy youth are the key to a nation's health and prosperity.

Guess What? It was a surprise party. Mgr. Leo Soekoto SJ, bishop of the Jakarta diocese, told of his intention to retire during a solemn mass held Wednesday at the Senayan Istora hall of Jakarta. The mass was actually conducted to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his episcopate, 50 years as a Jesuit, and his 75th birthday. Few of his congregation anticipated the bishop's decision to announce his retirement during the celebration. Leo was born in Prambanan, Yogyakarta in 1920.

Foreign chains no threat to local food business By Sri Wahyuni JAKARTA (JP): Despite the deluge of foreign restaurant chains, many local restaurant businesses are thriving. Es Teller 77, an originally small-scale cafe selling fruit concoctions and meatball noodle soup, is an example of success in the local food business chain. In l987, the company started franchising its business nationwide. Eight years after its franchising expansion, Es Teller 77 has 148 outlets throughout the country.

Singkawang jars in the hands of the Lord Text and photos by Imran Rusli SINGKAWANG, West Kalimantan (JP): "Without the hands of the Lord, my jars wouldn't exist," insisted Budiyanto, the owner of the Tajau Mas water jar factory in Sakok, West Kalimantan. According to Budi, his father started him jar making when he was six years old. Their factory produced various Chinese-looking jars which, at the time, were in demand with the affluent of Jakarta.

Thai foundation helps abandoned HIV-infected babies By T. Sima Gunawan AIDS remains a major challenge for the world since a cure or vaccine is still a distance dream. Not only adults, but children and even babies can be infected by HIV. The Jakarta Post examines the issue in the following three articles based on the Third International Conference on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific in Chiang Mai, Thailand. CHIANG MAI, Thailand (JP): AIDS doesn't discriminate.

Amien Rais asks: What about economic democracy? JAKARTA (JP): Leading Moslem scholar Amien Rais lashed out at campaigners for democracy recently for giving undue emphasis to civil and political rights at the expense of people's economic rights. Speaking at a seminar held by the Indonesian Association of Moslem Intellectuals (ICMI) yesterday, Amien acknowledged that even the campaign for political democratization still faces many obstacles.

Gift shops make debut in Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): It isn't easy selecting a gift. Some people spend hours shopping but find nothing. Others, who are too desperate to think for a new idea, buy the same gift over and over. To meet the demand of gift hunters, keen entrepreneurs have opened gift shops in Jakarta. Not only do they provide unique items, but they can also help find gifts for all budget and wrap the presents beautifully. Chic Mart home accessories and art store, which opened at Jl.

Sex shops Hey! I thought The Jakarta Post was a family newspaper. Your article in the Sunday, Sept.17, 1995 issue titled Popularity of Sex Shops Moves Upwards in the City written by Mr. Imran Rusli certainly violated generally accepted standards of decorum, especially in a widely read publication. Before I am considered utterly Jurassic in my thinking, let me state that it was not subject matter that was objectionable, it was the way it was written -- overly graphic and crude.

Guess What? Life begins at forty, or so countless coffee mugs contend. But for Bustanil Arifin, the former minister of cooperatives and head of logistics, "life begins at seventy" seems more appropriate. He celebrated his 70th birthday at the Sahid Jaya Hotel in Jakarta on Tuesday. A number of cabinet ministers and public figures who are close to Bus -- his nickname -- attended the party.

Robby's goals save Persib against Pasay BANDUNG, West Java (JP): Robby Darwis scored two goals as Persib Bandung struggled all the way to beat Pasay City of the Philippines 2-1 in their Asia Champions' Cup second round first leg match here yesterday. Captain Robby took action just in time to save the Indonesian league champion Persib with his 31st minute equalizer. The former national player struck his winning goal 11 minutes after the break.

Preserving the tradition of fruit gardens in Indonesia By Amir Sidharta JAKARTA (JP): The opening of the extensive Taman Buah Mekarsari fruit gardens in Cileungsi, Bogor, yesterday illustrates the significance of fruit in many cultures of the Indonesian archipelago. Various fruit trees have been cultivated for centuries by cultures throughout the archipelago for purposes ranging from ceremonial rituals to house building material.

Aaron Slight takes pole position JAKARTA (JP): Aaron Slight took the pole position for today's World Superbike Championship race at the Sentul circuit, Bogor, West Java despite his below par performance in the second qualifying race yesterday. Riding on Honda, the New Zealander clocked a lackluster time of one minute 39.961 seconds to finish sixth in the second qualifying race yesterday. Nobody, however, beat his best time of 1:28.028 he set in the first race on Friday.

The fruit of Indonesia influences the language JAKARTA (JP): Fruit has always played an important part in Indonesian culture. The significance is evident in the use of fruit in the Indonesian language. In its most simple form, the Indonesian word for fruit buah is used as a unit of measure for most objects, particularly whole objects. For example, satu buah buku (a book), satu buah botol (a bottle) and so forth.

A call to return to local cuisine Foreign food, which has hit the market in various parts of the country, especially in big cities, has stolen people's hearts. With the ever increasing number of restaurants offering foreign meals, can local cuisine thrive? The Jakarta Post observes the phenomenon in conjunction with World Food Day on Oct.16. More stories on page 2. JAKARTA (JP): A street singer approached a group of people dining on local food at one of the street-side restaurants that line Jl.

Indonesia strolls into Bermuda Bowl quarters JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia advanced to the Bermuda Bowl world bridge championship quarterfinals in Beijing on Friday despite a loss to South Africa in the final group round-robin match. A lackluster Indonesian team gave up 11-19 to the South Africans, but that didn't stop Henky Lasut and company from assuring themselves of a quarterfinal berth, thanks to their 23-7 rout of Argentina.

Blind face discrimination in public transit system By Primastuti Handayani JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta's public transportation is not friendly to physically handicapped people, a group of blind people said yesterday. About 80 blind men and women of all ages aired their grievances about the way they are treated by public transport operators, particularly bus drivers, during a meeting with Dimmy Kirbrandiman, a senior official of the Jakarta City Land Transportation and Traffic Control Office.

Fabrice's rehashing 'Volare' while cramping Versace By Dini S. Djalal Jakarta (JP): It has survived a fire and cut-throat competition. On Wednesday, Fabrice's World Music Bar celebrated its first anniversary with thousands of guests. Yet, despite the suffocating crowd and deafening music, it all felt old. When Fabrice's first opened, guests queued to salsa every night away.

Thailand has Indonesia worried about SEA Games JAKARTA (JP): As the 18th Southeast Asian Games draw near, host Thailand is posing a serious threat to arch rival Indonesia. Over the past four weeks, the two Southeast Asian sports powerhouses have been flexing their muscles in track and field and shooting meets. Those big events deserve attention, mainly because track and field and shooting will provide almost a quarter of the 334 gold medals up for grabs in the Dec.

Indonesia names 17 SEAG swimmers JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia will field a team of 17 in the swimming events of the 18th Southeast Asian Games in Chiang Mai, Thailand, the Indonesian Swimming Association announced on Friday. Association secretary Dedeng Kurnia said that the line-up was chosen by a national selection panel, led by Lisa Siregar, which scrutinized the 28 swimmers who have taken part in the centralized training program since April.