Aga Khan Award a critique on architecture and society JAKARTA (JP): The 1995 presentation of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in Surakarta, Central Java, happened a week ago, but the echo of its significance in the world of architecture, in particular Moslem architecture, remains. The award, the world's largest architecture prize of US$500,000, has put under the spotlight works that otherwise would probably have been left unnoticed.

JakJazz 95 to introduce local flavor to jazz fans By Franki Raden JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta International Jazz Festival 1995, or JakJazz 95, returns next week with an Indonesian flavor. Keeping in the spirit of this year's celebration of Indonesia's 50th anniversary, the organizers have scheduled an event that will appeal to an audience far beyond jazz enthusiasts.

Major powers still key to Asia-Pacific security Much more than the current mechanisms are needed to maintain regional stability. Amitav Acharya offers an old idea to fit the new geostrategic setting. The end of the Cold War has contributed to a great deal of uncertainty in the Asia-Pacific as to the future relationship among the region's major powers, the U.S., China, Japan, Russia and India. Two perspectives have emerged.

How to make Indian 'chapathis' and 'puris' By Syamala Monie PURWAKARTA, West Java (JP): The other day I attended an Indonesian wedding ceremony. There was a separate lunch table with 'makanan dari India', or food from India. The bride worked for an Indian company and since many of the guests were vegetarians, she had made special arrangements for Indian food. But what surprised me more was the number of Indonesians relishing the puris, chole (chick peas) and samosas.

Kampar Calamity By Hudri Hamdi Abang was very busy working when I first stepped into Kampar. Together with his fellow workers, Abang was busy sawing up a giant tree in this eerie wilderness close to Pekanbaru, Sumatera. They were working very energetically; beads of perspiration dripping from their bodies. All the while they were singing merrily to the movement of the saw. The sound of the singing and the saw was echoing from other places in Kampar, as far as my eyes could see.

Conflicting comments worry AIDS activist By T. Sima Gunawan JAKARTA (JP): Nafsiah Mboi is worried. A pediatrician, politician and AIDS activist, Nafsiah has reason to worry. "AIDS is a very serious problem. But it seems that the issue is not addressed seriously enough here," she said. Nafsiah, 55, a member of the House of Representatives, is also a member of the working group of the national commission for AIDS control.

Thank God, Jakarta is back to normal JAKARTA (JP): "Just what do they think they're doing to my Jakarta?" said Martha vehemently upon seeing the shaping-up activities that were pounding this metropolitan city in line with the golden anniversary of Indonesia's independence. She had good reasons to be furious. She was accused of violating the regulations that prohibit people crossing Jalan Thamrin without using the pedestrian bridge. "I have been crossing the road this way for ages.

Nyoman brings shine to Balinese sculpture By Jean Couteau JAKARTA (JP): No Indonesian sculptor commands as much public attention as the 44-year-old, Balinese born, Bandung-based Nyoman Nuarta. When still a student, he won in 1977 the commission for the Proclamation Monument in Jakarta. As late as last October, he saw his proposal for the corner sculptures at the National Monument coming in first place.

Guess What? Who would have thought that Prof. Dorodjatun Kuntjoro Jakti, the dean of the School of Economics of University of Indonesia, is mad about music? More than that, he used to be a guitarist in his younger years. Dorodjatun told The Jakarta Post after his opening speech at the 18th Jazz Goes to Campus event on Nov. 25 that he used to play music with friends during his college years from 1964 to 1970.

TV today TVRI 7:00 a.m. Morning News 7:30 Healthy and Fit with Berty Tilarso 7:40 TV Series: Speed Keteers 8:05 Around Us 8:35 Children Stories 9:00 People and Events 9:30 Comedy: Ria Jenaka 9:45 Indonesian Music: Album Minggu Ini 10:45 Youth Program: Temu Remaja 11:45 Sports: Dari Gelanggang Ke Gelanggang 12:45 p.m.

Punchy sauce attracts stars to 'Steak 41' By Imran Rusli JAKARTA (JP): Located on the side of a busy road and separated from the bustling traffic by only a foul culvert and a stand of bamboo, Steak 41 is a very unusual dining place. Its exterior exudes a certain strength. The space within, in the form of a pendopo (open veranda) where guests are seated, is shielded from the dust by transparent plastic curtains. The pendopo nearest to the road has no such curtains.

Indonesian music industry survives foreign invasion By Johannes Simbolon JAKARTA (JP): The party's over. It's time to get back to reality. But, oh, such a dreadful one. That is the general feeling shared by Indonesian musicians who participated in the Pacific Harmony music convention in Bali last month. There's a feeling of fear concerning the possibility of the local music industry blacklisting them, preventing them from recording and selling their songs.

Injuries befall RI shuttlers bound for SEA Games JAKARTA (JP): Mia Audina was injured in Singapore Friday night as fellow members of the national team gathered at Senayan for 40 minutes of meditation in preparation for the 18th Southeast Asian Games in Chiang Mai, Thailand. A bad omen? Could be. Mia, second only to badminton queen Susi Susanti, was forced to give up her quarterfinal fight at the ongoing World Grand Prix Badminton Finals in Singapore.

UN human rights commissioner begins Indonesia visit JAKARTA (Agencies): United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Jose Ayala Lasso arrived yesterday for a series of discussions with Indonesian officials in Jakarta and East Timor. He will officially begin his visit today with a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas. He will fly to Dili, capital of East Timor on Monday for a two-day stay.

Indecent activity From Kompas I was impressed by a recent episode of Harry de Fretes' Hari- Hari Mau comedy show titled Wawancara dengan Ajakin (Interview with the Association of Indonesian Pirates) on the ANteve television channel. It was a good satire which could embarrass the pirates. As a painter, I have bad experiences with pirates. Maybe I would not mind if other artists copied my works. But I have been really upset by the making of posters of my paintings without my consent.

Guess What? Accompanying her father, the Aga Khan, Princess Zahra certainly became a center of attention - outside the field of architecture - during presentation of the Aga Khan award for Architecture in Solo last week. Commenting on the award presentations, she exclaimed, "It's fascinating!" but diplomatically shied away from saying where her particular interests lie. "I'm a total Philistine when it comes to these things," she claimed. She is now focused on women issues.

Guess What? Initially it was models testing their talent at acting. Now, Indonesian designer Robby Tumewu has found a niche in several television dramas, popularly known as sinetron. "It's a thrill to be involved in sinetron, although it's a bit tiring," said Tumewu, who has acted in Lenong Rumpi, Keluarga Van Danoe and Flamboyan 108. Tumewu said he never had acting lessons but develops his skill through everyday occurrences.

Guess What? The future head of Indonesia's special forces, Kopassus, is afraid of reporters? Of course not, but it was obvious that Prabowo Subianto, 43, who was promoted to the rank of brigadier-general on Friday, was trying to avoid the press. "What? A reporter? No, no," he said, laughing, turning to leave. He was afraid I would ask him about his promotion or new post as chief of Kopassus. But I insisted I only wanted to ask about paintings.

Medistra incident I was amazed to read a feature story written by Veronica Soediro in The Jakarta Post (Nov. 29, 1995; page 7) which stated that the Indonesian AIDS Foundation was the main player in dealing with the incident in which Medistra Hospital in South Jakarta rejected patients with AIDS earlier this year. There were many players involved in dealing with the Medistra incident.

Table-tennis queen injured NEW DELHI (AFP): India's former table-tennis champion Monalisa Barua and two other senior players were injured when their bus crashed in the northeastern state of Assam, The Press Trust of India reported yesterday. It identified the other two as Tridip Duwara and Anupam Konwar and said three other members from Monalisa's squad were also hurt when their bus rammed a stationary truck late Friday in Assam's Nagaon district.

Church leaders send joint Xmas message JAKARTA (JP): Leaders of the Protestant and Roman Catholic churches in Indonesia made a joint appeal yesterday to their flock to celebrate this Christmas by showing solidarity with fellow human beings, particularly those who are less fortunate.

Guess What? There are many factors that can bankrupt small-scale traders. One of them is improper decisions made by government officials, according to Adi Sasono, director of the Center for Information and Development Studies. Sasono proposes that the new law on loans for small-scale industries cover the liability of government officials whose decisions adversely affect people. The bill allows small-scale industries to obtain up to Rp 50 million (US$22,222) in collateral-free loans.

Joko meets Ardy in Grand Prix final SINGAPORE (AFP): Indonesians Joko Suprianto and Ardy Wiranata tamed their Malaysian opponents in the last four yesterday to enter the final of the US$325,000 Grand Prix badminton tournament here. World Cup champion Joko beat Ong Ewe Hock 15-8, 15-11 while defending champion Ardy staved off an early challenge by Commonwealth champion Rashid Sidek to win 18-17, 15-7. The final will be held today.