Fiendliness is fine, but how about a little efficiency? By Elizabeth Hermann JAKARTA (JP): Once again a shop assistant flashed a friendly smile but shook her head. Once again there was no skirt or jacket in my size. Another afternoon wasted in trying to buy smart medium-priced business suits. There were plenty of lovely suits to be had, and just what we wanted, but they were all to small. Nothing in our bule sizes to be had in two malls.

Guess What? Sri Bintang Pamungkas Most Jakarta-based political reporters know Sri Bintang Pamungkas' skill in quick repartee. The outspoken legislator, from the Moslem-based United Development Party, has been known to comment, sharply, on just about any subject, from shortcomings in the state budget, to the national electoral system, to freedom of the press. It's the latter issue, however, which recently earned him both his seniors' wrath and the admiration of some members of the press.

Guess What? Meuthia Kasim Who is a public relations officer's best friend? "Journalists," according to Meuthia Kasim, PR manager of Jakarta's Hard Rock Cafe. But she recently had a sad experience with her 'best friends' when a number of music journalists 'boycotted' all music events at the cafe because of a misunderstanding between the cafe staff and journalists. "I realized that the solidarity among them is very strong," the tiny young woman said during a Valentine's Day party at the cafe.

'Lebaran': A time to build and revive friendship By Santi W.E. Soekanto JAKARTA (JP): For many people, Lebaran, a holiday which marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadhan, is mainly about forgiveness and friendship. Moslems here cherish the day for its religious significance, and see it as a time for relief and spiritual liberation after a month of self-denial and purification.

Renato explores universality of human nature By Benito Lopulalan DENPASAR (JP): Renato Cristiano is a painter who presents the reality of intellectual and spatial journeys and has written books as well as researched anthropology, archeology and history to strengthen his paintings. Many first-class museums and prominent collectors have his paintings. In 1954, the Schneider in Rome, the most prominent gallery at the time, acquired a collection of his works.

Ramadhan special to Hidayatullah boarding school Text and photos by Wisnu Pramudya BALIKPAPAN, East Kalimantan (JP): Hundreds of young men in white tunics emerged from various corners of a dormitory, etching an impressive picture against the backdrop of the midnight sky as they marched toward a nearby mosque. Minutes later, neat rows of Hidayatullah boarding school student recited the prayers that are recommended to fill the nights of the holy fasting month of Ramadhan.

Jazzman Jarreau disappoints loyal Jakarta fans By Dini Sari Djalal JAKARTA (JP): During the third song of Al Jarreau's concert at Senayan Stadium on Tuesday Feb. 21, my companions for the evening were heading away from the stage. While onstage Jarreau's signature scat-singing became more and more abstract, my companions bid me farewell with a forlorn "We're bored." At the risk of offending Jakarta's three thousand Al Jarreau fans, as well as Al Jarreau himself, so was I.

Ecotourism: Blend of tourism and conservation By Asmoro H. Hani JAKARTA (JP): Much has been said and written in recent years about the benefits of tourism as a sustainable and non-polluting industry. Tourism has already become the most important civil industry in the world. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), tourism is now the world's largest industry, expected in 1993 to generate more than US$3.5 trillion of world output and to double by the year 2005.

A question of Identity By Richard Mann Budi was a news reader with the state television company in Jakarta, Indonesia's teeming capital city. After university it was a job he very much wanted. His father was an ambassador so he had been able to use his parent's connections to try to get the job. Although he was only a reporter, reading the news gave him a sense of power over his listeners and viewers. From him and from him only they learnt something that they had never known before.

Toy industry boom for all By Ati Nurbaiti and Rita A. Widiadana Children and toys are inseparable. Using toys, children create a world of their own. The kinds of toys children play with has an effect on the kinds of adults they grow into. In the following article The Jakarta Post looks at how parents' growing purchasing power is enabling children to gain access to countless varieties of toys and games. We also take a look at the country's booming toy export industry.

Activists seek ban on plutonium freighter JAKARTA (JP): Environmental activists have called on the government to bar a British freighter, which is carrying plutonium from France to Japan, from passing through Indonesian waters. "Although the route is a heavily-guarded secret, we have reason to believe that the ship may choose to go through the narrow Straits of Malacca," Muhammad Anung of the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) said during a discussion on Friday.

Traditional toys still 'exist' along Malioboro Text and photos by R. Fadjri YOGYAKARTA (JP): Along Jalan Malioboro, Yogyakarta's main shopping promenade, there are at least 50 vendors of traditional toys, such as bamboo flutes and spinning tops. Most sell toys only in addition to other wares, like batik cloth. Only a few specialize solely in toys. One such specialist is Muchlis Yudhiarto, a 27-year-old man who has spent more than half his life in the toy business on Jalan Malioboro.

TV today TVRI 7:00 a.m. Morning News 7:30 Healthy and Fresh 7:40 TV Series: Vicky The Viking 8:10 Children's Program 8:40 TV Series: Voltron 9:00 People and Events 9:30 Comedy: Ria Jenaka 9:45 Music 10:45 Youth Program 11:15 Indonesian Cooking 11:45 Sports: Dari Gelanggang Ke Gelanggang 12:45 p.m.

Guess What? Wismoyo Arismunandar "Sakarepmulah! (say what you like!)," Wismoyo Arismunandar, the newly elected chairman of the National Sports Council (KONI), jokingly replied in the Javanese language when asked by reporters about his first day at KONI headquarters. KONI's top officials are infamous for being absent from the office.

Have the courage to create: Sedyawati By Ati Nurbaiti JAKARTA (JP): Unique art and culture landed Indonesia and other oriental cultures on the world map. The study of this art secured their place in the minds of the world. "To be able to place accurate value on items acquired from far away countries, people in the West needed to study all about the background of the objects," said Edi Sedyawati, the Director General of Cultural Affairs.

A piece of experience in a corner of Borneo By Gary Gentry BONTANG, East Kalimantan (JP): You never really know a man until you drink beer with him in a cheap bar on a rickety pier over stinking tidal flat six miles from the equator. I know James Angus Leonard, by God. I met James Angus at a construction site called Bontang which sits right where the equator crosses the east coast of Borneo. That's in Indonesia, but if you want to look it up it's called Kalimantan.

Hidayatullah isn't just a school for orphans BALIKPAPAN, East Kalimantan (JP): Hundreds of orphans live and learn at the Hidayatullah boarding school in Gunung Tembak, Kalimantan for free. This separates this boarding school from the other 6,000 in Indonesia.

Vitamins: Trend or necessity? By Rita A. Widiadana JAKARTA (JP): Have you ever woken up on a sunny morning feeling week and exhausted? You need food and vitamin supplements, proclaims an advertisement for "health food". Another advertisement asks, "Are you afraid that your world is being contaminated by pollutants? You may need anti-oxidant vitamins." Today the very elements we need to sustain in life: air, water, food and even sunlight now pose a serious threat to our health.

Lee retains WBA title SEOUL (Reuter): South Korea's Lee Hyung-chul knocked out Japan's Tamura Tomonori in the final seconds of a 12-round bout to retain his World Boxing Association (WBA) junior bantamweight boxing title yesterday. The 25-year-old Lee led the fight, in the southern city of Pusan, from the first round with a flurry of rights and lefts to the forehead and torso of Tomonori, 10th in the WBA rankings.

Indonesia'a Lamhot to fight Mexican boxer JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's prominent junior bantamweight fighter Lamhot Simamora is gearing up his campaign to take the International Boxing Federation (IBF) crown with a fight against Afrain Pintor of Mexico at the Senayan Basketball Hall on March 28. Both Lamhot and Pintor are seeking better rankings during the non-title match scheduled for 12 rounds. It will be Lamhot's first appearance in the ring after more than a year.

KONI boss asks for devotion JAKARTA (JP): The new chairman of the National Sports Council (KONI), Wismoyo Arismunandar, reiterated his demand for total loyalty from his assistants during his four-year tenure. "The tough challenges we are facing require us to be fully committed to our fundamental objectives of developing national sports at all cost," Wismoyo said during a transfer of post ceremony for the KONI chairmanship yesterday.

Guess What? Gladys Suwandhi "I can't sleep and my heart has been beating a little bit faster during the last few weeks," said Gladys Suwandhi, an actress and singer turned successful business woman. What was causing this condition? "It's Phil Collins," she answered. Currently president of PT Adissagraha Citra, Gladys is now busy organizing a performance of renowned singer Phil Collins at the former site of the Ancol circuit in North Jakarta, which is scheduled for next month.

TV stations owe viewers a commercial break JAKARTA (JP): Have you heard any good advertisements on TV lately? I say heard because when there is a commercial break on TV the volume goes up so loud that you don't need to see the ad to know it's on. And the blast of sound practically embeds the name of the product being advertised into your brain. Being a shift worker, I don't normally reach home until 9:30 p.m.

Politicians debate ABRI seats in the House By Wahyudi M. Pratopo JAKARTA (JP): Politicians are debating how many seats in the House of Representatives the Armed Forces (ABRI) should retain following suggestions by President Soeharto and a high ranking officer that its 100 seats could be reduced if necessary. B.N.

Ramadhan time for Jakarta Sunday Maghrib 06.16 p.m. Monday Imsak 04.32 a.m. Subuh 04.42 a.m.