Indonesians celebrating Idul Fitri abroad JAKARTA (JP): Being away from home is already hard for most people. It becomes especially hard during holidays like Idul Fitri, a time when families and friends get together. How do people cope with being in a foreign country during such an holiday like Idul Fitri? Three Indonesians who have experienced the Moslem holy day abroad share their experience.

Parangtritis beach boosts Yogyakarta's income By Markus Mardius YOGYAKARTA (JP): Parangtritis, located 27 kilometers south of here, is one of the thriving tourist destinations in this province. Its mysteries, shrines and panoramic views have continued to lure visitors. A number of annual ceremonies like the Labuhan, traditional offerings to the queen of the sea, Idul Fitri and Satu Suro, the Moslem New Year.

'Takbiran' is more unified JAKARTA (JP): In many local neighborhoods, the coming of Idul Fitri on Friday was marked with people hurrying to and from houses carrying rantang (sets of stacked containers) of food. Inside the rantang containers were ketupat, rice cake boiled in rhombus shaped packets of plaited coconut leaves, and various other traditional foods that many people still identify with the end of the Moslem fasting month of Ramadhan.

Vietnam's fish sauce industry key to Phu Quoc island's economy By Robert Templer PHU QUOC ISLAND, Vietnam (AFP): An uncorked bottle has a bouquet that hits you like a mule's kick and a taste that takes some acquiring, but on Phu Quoc this brown, syrupy liquid is regarded as nothing less than an elixir.

Ardiyanto's hobby boosts sales of glass paintings Text and photos by R. Fadjri YOGYAKARTA (JP): The residence of a batik entrepreneur, Ardiyanto Pranata, is looking older than usual. He now has 50 antique glass paintings hanging along his upstairs hallway. They are just part of his collection of 400 rare and master works, many are a century old. Like other folk art, glass painting is simple.

Moslems worldwide celebrate Idul Fitri JAKARTA (Agencies): An Idul Fitri festive mood prevailed in most predominantly Moslem countries and territories across the globe, even in troubled spots like Sarajevo, Chechnya, Palestine and Somalia, although tensions remained. In some countries, the occasion was used by leaders to convey political gestures for peace with their opponents.

Jakartans taking it to the streets JAKARTA (JP): Pick-up trucks packed with Moslems highlighted the end of the Ramadhan fasting month in towns all throughout the country on Thursday evening. Using trucks and other vehicles, the masses chanted and recited the praise Allahu Akbar (God is Great) as they toured the towns. Similar rituals also took place in mosques all over Indonesia, home to the largest Moslem population in the world.

English colonialism alive in Indonesian language By E. Sadtono SURABAYA (JP): English colonialism is not dead, it is alive and kicking -- at least in the Indonesian language. Raffles must be smiling in his grave knowing of his victory over Jan Pieter Zoon Koen, a Dutch Governor General, who is beaten on his own turf in terms of linguistic influence. There are now so many English words absorbed into the Indonesian language that the Dutch influence pales in comparison.

Indonesian model father in the making By Kartina Suyono Prawirabisma JAKARTA (JP): A friend of mine expressed her New Year's wish, "I hope the past year brought you beautiful memories, long to be cherished; and may the New Year bring you and your loved ones even more beautiful moments, to be remembered for a long time." Her New Year's wish set me pondering. What are my wonderful memories, to be cherished in the future? Mother's Day flashed through my mind.

The press faces plethora of challenges, constraints Asia Paper No 4; The Press in New Order Indonesia; David T. Hill; University of Western Australia Press in association with Asia Research Center on Social, Political and Economic Change; Nedlands, Western Australia, 1994; Paperback, 185 pages; Aus$18.95 MELBOURNE (JP): One day in 1993 I took a morning stroll with an Indonesian senior editor in lovely Fremantle, Perth.

Anusapati epitomizes unwavering dedication By Bambang Budi Utomo JAKARTA (JP): In the keputren (the female wing) of the palace of the Kingdom of Singhasari, a boy, Anusapati, is talking to his mother, Ken Dedes. "Mother, I want an explanation. Why does my father treat me differently from my half brothers and sisters? The way he looks at me is different from the way he looks at them.

Indonesians set to retain titles LONDON (Reuter): Hariyanto Arbi and Susi Susanti of Indonesia have been seeded to retain their singles titles at the All- England championships in Birmingham, England, from March 14-18. In the seedings announced on Wednesday by the International Badminton Federation, Indonesian players dominate the men's singles, with Ardy Wiranata seeded to meet Hariyanto in a repeat of last year's all-Indonesian final.

Maintaining a balanced diet after the Idul Fitri feast By Dian Utami Soekanto BOGOR (JP): After a month of fasting, many people can't help but see the Lebaran celebration as a time for indulgence. A piece of ketupat, traditional boiled rice-cakes prepared to greet the end of Ramadhan, may not be too fattening, but chicken and papaya curry with thick coconut milk is swimming in fat.

IESC brings experience, knowledge to RI By Dean Carignan JAKARTA (JP): Every morning at 7:30, Walt Szczesiul leaves home and commutes across Jakarta to his office at PT Pharos, much like he did for 35 years in America working as a pharmaceuticals expert. The difference is that Walt is not an employee with Pharos; nor is he a consultant.

Deceitful courses The number of English schools that provide native speakers as instructors is increasing in Jakarta and other cities. Indonesians tend to believe that the native speakers are qualified teachers and are therefore willing to pay high fees for their expertise. Many do not realize a large number of the native speakers are tourists who do not understand how to teach. What will happen to our young people if they receive poor quality education?

Composers get Idul Fitri gift -- royalties By Rita A. Widiadana JAKARTA (JP): Hundreds of local music composers have just received a special Idul Fitri bonus -- royalties for their creations. The word "royalty" is relatively new to the ears of many Indonesians. Composers used to ignore their right to make a profit from their work and Indonesian music producers and consumers till don't appreciate copyright law.