Media erodes sovereignty of Asia's modernizing states The Internet and the global media are at the forefront in effecting greater political space within Asia. Yeap Soon Beng looks at this phenomenon In today's borderless world where leaders learn quickly that the global polity is a messy place, with events easily spinning out of control, most governments feel under siege.

Tomy faces tough final rally stage JAKARTA (JP): Leading Hutomo Mandala Putra entered yesterday a decisive stage of the national rally championship series at the Gembala Sriwijaya racing area, South Sumatra. Hutomo, or Tomy, topped the championship standings with 50 points before the 23-field. Two-day race started yesterday. A victory today will earn Tomy, who is driving a Subaru Imprezza, his first crown ever.

Critics force U.S. to refocus on Pacific Richard Halloran looks at how America is responding to Asian concerns about its waning regional security role. For the first time in more than two decades, United States military leaders are contemplating a shift in strategic focus to put more emphasis on the Pacific and eventually to deploy more armed forces to this region. Since the end of the war in Vietnam, American strategic attention has been directed primarily towards Europe and the Middle East.

Eight new songs mark end of Pacific Harmony JAKARTA (JP): The series of international musical events called Pacific Harmony peaked here yesterday evening when dozens of artists and songwriters from three continents sang eight new songs just composed in Bali. Held at the Jakarta Convention Center, the Charity Night show was the most unusual musical event ever held in this country. The 200 celebrities who packed the auditorium applauded now and then as one composition or another was sung.

Soeharto's absence at G-15 Summit a loss to the forum By Meidyatama Suryodiningrat BUENOS AIRES (JP): Argentinean Foreign Minister Guido Mario Di Tella said on Friday that President Soeharto's absence from tomorrow's Group of 15 (G-15) Summit represents a "great loss" to the forum, of which Indonesia is a key member. "He would have been very much celebrated if he could have come.

Indonesia's advertising enjoys rapid growth JAKARTA (JP): It took the duo of Baty Subakti and H. Mahtum to chair the organizing committee of AdAsia '95. Both Baty and Mahtum are prominent Indonesian advertising personalities and both have high expectations for the Bali congress. A former journalist, Mahtum said advertising is inseparable from the communications world, especially the press.

Indonesian eying WBC title JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's Boy Aruan is gunning to seize the World Boxing Council super-flyweight crown from title holder Hiroshi Kawashima in a fight scheduled for Wednesday in Tokyo. Aruan, the Asia and Pacific champion and Kawashima's contender number nine, has hired an Australian trainer, Peter Lund, for his first world championship bout.

Campbell takes over lead in Alfred Dunhill Master JAKARTA (JP): A two stroke penalty did not impose any danger to William Campbell's battle to take over the lead after three rounds of the Alfred Dunhill Master golf championship with a sizzling 14-under par-202 yesterday. New Zealand's Campbell was penalized by two strokes under Rule 13-4b for "touching sand in bunker during backswing" at the 209- yard, par three fourth hole.

Death toll rises to 250 in RP typhoon LUCENA, Philippines (Agencies): Typhoon Angela, the most powerful to hit the Philippines in nearly a decade, killed more than 250 people including at least 121 in a single town, disaster officials said yesterday. They said about half a million people may have been made homeless and millions of dollars worth of crops and property damaged.

Going beyond the free toaster as competition tightens JAKARTA (JP): As competition among credit cards grows fiercer, card issuers have begun to offer gifts and rewards to attract members or encourage holders to use their cards more often. The gifts range from a simple pen to an all-inclusive trip to Christmas Island. American Express (Amex) is an example. With 38,000 card holders in Indonesia, Amex is currently the most used charge card in the country.

Voices of the past inform RI's contemporary arts Soul, Spirit and Mountain: Preoccupations of Contemporary Indonesian Painters Astri Wright Oxford University Press Oxford Singapore, New York 1994, 328 pages.

The Bali Bird Park adds to tourist attractions in Bali By Intan Petersen DENPASAR, Bali (JP): Bali, the prima donna of Indonesian tourism, has been increasingly adding to its tourist attractions. Last year 2.1 million international tourists, 55 percent of the international tourists came to Indonesia, visited the island. Two years ago, the Waterboom Park was built in Tuban, outside of Kuta.

FIFA mission arrives in Tokyo TOKYO (Kyodo): The five-member inspection mission of the world soccer body FIFA arrived in Tokyo yesterday to visit various soccer facilities and assess Japan's bid for the 2002 World Cup finals. The mission, led by Horst Schmidt of Germany, has just wound up a similar tour in South Korea and will inspect stadiums being constructed in Yokohama and other potential venues.

'Decentralization vital in conservation drive' JAKARTA (JP): Decisions on conservation issues are best made at a local level, environmental experts said yesterday. "It is dangerous for the central government to set uniform policies regarding biodiversity," Indonesia's former environment minister Emil Salim said during a panel discussion on the first day of the Global Biodiversity Forum here.

The credit card honeymoon is over Plastic money is an inherent part of Indonesia's urban lifestyle. More than a symbol of modernity, it offers convenience and benefits for cardholders. Those who are not disciplined, however, can be easily trapped in consumerism. The Jakarta Post writes about various aspects of the cards. More stories on page 6. JAKARTA (JP): Charging it has become a symbol of modernity in Indonesia, with plastic money being used by a growing number of people.

'Indonesia Becik', an exhibition of ethnic handicrafts By Agi Ginanjar and Putu Fajar Arsana DENPASAR, Bali (JP): Indonesia's natural abundance is reflected in its handicrafts. Made of wood, leather, rattan, bamboo, stone and metals, an object is more than just a functional thing because it is also an element of beauty. More than that, each object, either for daily or ceremonial use, is also a representation of the esthetic expression of the craftsperson. They also often carry magical values.

The elusive ethics of Indonesian advertising By T. Sima Gunawan JAKARTA (JP): A well-dressed man is dancing in a pub with several girls when his handphone rings. His wife is calling from home. "Oh, I am in the middle of a meeting," he lies. It is not a movie scene but a TV commercial for Motorola handphones. The advertiser was obviously trying to portray the lifestyle of a successful young executive who carried a handphone wherever he went.

AdAsia '95 congress to take place at Bali tourist resort DENPASAR, Bali (JP): More than 1,000 people will take part in the AdAsia '95 congress opening at Bali International Conference Center in the Nusa Dua resort tomorrow. The participants include 150 journalists from all over the world. Presented under the theme Uptrend in Asia, the 19th Asian Advertising Congress will be opened by President Soeharto and will continue through Nov. 9.

Credit card integral part of modern life JAKARTA (JP): "Plastic money" has become an integral part of modern life in Indonesia. Although many people still do not know the benefits of owning a credit card, the people who use them find them handy. The Jakarta Post interviewed several people on the benefits of credit cards. Here are some excerpts: Magdalena, human resources and development manager of a private company: I need credit cards, especially when I travel overseas.

Mentawai Island This letter is in response to Imran Rusli's article Mentawai now West Sumatra's main tourist attraction (The Jakarta Post, Oct. 22, 1995). We are both non-Indonesians who have spent considerable time in Siberut Island, in the capacity as tour guide and anthropologist, and as such feel that our views and experiences may be of some interest.

Indonesian teams ready for Southeast Asian Games battle JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian sportsmen and women are all ready to fight it out for glory in the 18th Southeast Asian Games in Chiang Mai, Thailand next month. "Our athletes have made a lot of improvement during the training sessions. They just need to maintain their form now," training director of the National Sports Council, Moch. Hindarto, said yesterday.

Medan to host veteran basketball JAKARTA (JP): Veteran basketball players from 23 countries will display their skills during a tournament in Medan, North Sumatra from Nov. 22 to 26. Committee chairman Ali Susanto said yesterday that the United States would parade eight teams, with China and Chinese Taipei each presenting seven. Other countries will include the Netherlands, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines and host Indonesia.

Yayuk to play mixed doubles JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's tennis queen Yayuk Basuki will play mixed doubles with Sulistyo Wibowo in the 18th Southeast Asian Games tennis competition. The national team project officer, Wailan Walalangi, said after announcing the new combination on Friday that both seasoned players face no serious hurdles in earning Indonesia one of five tennis gold medals. "Their big serves will help them win the gold medal," Wailan said.

Transport Mister! Transport? DENPASAR, Bali (JP): "Transport, mister? Transport?" This is the question you have to deal with when you arrive at Ngurah Rai airport here, especially when you are taken for a foreign tourist. The same question will follow you to the shopping centers, restaurants and nightclubs around Kuta, Legian, Seminyak and to other tourist spots. "Transport" means a four-wheel-drive vehicle which is ready to take you wherever you wish, provided a price has been agreed.

War against credit card swindles not yet over By Johannes Simbolon JAKARTA (JP): It was already three days after three Malaysians had made off with Rp 17 million (US$7,555) worth of jewelry from the store in Citraland Mall, West Jakarta, but the owner still looked frightened. "I am afraid they will take revenge," she told The Jakarta Post, requesting anonymity. The robbery was the latest in a wave of credit card swindles sweeping the city.

Hariyanto and Alan to meet in Hong Kong Open final HONG KONG (Reuter): World champion Hariyanto Arbi of Indonesia recovered from a sloppy first game yesterday to beat South Korea's Lee Kwang-jin and take his place in the Hong Kong Open final against compatriot Alan Budikusuma. Hariyanto, the top seed and defending champion, stormed back after a dreadful opening game to defeat the aggressive world number eight 5-15, 15-7, 15-6.

10 non-rated players eye world's elo rating JAKARTA (JP): 10 non-rated chess players are seeking world elo ratings in competition with 10 rated players in a 10-session, 10- day tournament which began here yesterday. "We want to increase the number of rated chess players to 100 by the end of this year," said Cholid Gozali, deputy chairman of the Indonesian Chess Association. At present, only 37 Indonesian players are rated by the world chess body, FIDE.