Kuei works towards concert hall dream JAKARTA (JP): Independence Day is still a month away, but activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of independence have been going on for months. Some people have organized a kite festival, some have written and published books, while others have decorated their houses with twinkling lights. Noted pianist Kuei Pin Yeo has already celebrated the anniversary by participating in the Festspillene i Bergen, or Bergen International Festival.

Present Tense By Dewi Anggraeni I put the phone down distractedly, drifting into semi consciousness, dulling the pain. I feel somehow detached from my body. I know I can't get to the class until it passes, so I just wait in helplessness. "It is a very interesting story, but...". Wasn't it what they all said? Not quite. The one before that wrote back and said maybe I should try a publisher in Southeast Asia, since most of the characters in the story were Asians let them read it.

Guess What? B.J. Habibie Being a top government official in charge of technology development in Indonesia does not prevent research and technology minister B.J. Habibie from reading numerous and various kinds of books. "I spend most of my leisure time reading," Habibie, who is also chairman of the Agency for the Management of Strategic Industries, said during a hearing with Commission I of the House of Representatives early this week.

Guess What? Tubagus Bachtiar Rifai A parent's love sometimes unintentionally brings trouble to their children, but noted agriculture expert Tubagus Bachtiar Rifai never thought it would lead to the extreme: Crocodiles. "Once a week I used to contact my son who was on duty on Buru Island from the radio at the Defense Ministry," said the former head of the Indonesian Science Institute.

Muhammadiyah gives Moslems identity By Santi W.E. Soekanto and Wisnu Pramudya BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): It may sound irrational, but some of the 40,000 Muhammadiyah supporters who flocked here for the organization's congress last week were farmers and small traders who spent all their money just to pay for their fares. After days on the road or on ships, these people still had to sit in the sun for hours, waiting to be registered and given a place to stay.

How relevant Indonesian architectural authenticity is? By Gunawan Tjahjono JAKARTA (JP): Architecture reveals its makers' values and represents many aspects of a culture, but it does not always present an accurate picture of a society. We learn from history that some monumental buildings have appeared during periods of economic decline. What we see in architecture could be a certain camouflaged truth.

Nostalgia comes alive at the Classic Rock Stage By Meidyatama Suryodiningrat JAKARTA (JP): Despite the hordes of clubs and pubs in Jakarta, one can often not help but feel subjected to a certain uniformity in atmosphere. Thus someone with particular tastes in say 1970s rock'n roll, popularly coined by disk-jockeys as "classic rock", would probably have to first endure the annoying techno-pop and rap garble which is played in most clubs before being turned-on to a tune from the past.

SOS for Gembira Loka Zoo A few of my Indonesian friends took me to the Gembira Loka Zoo in Yogyakarta recently. What I anticipated to be an enjoyable trip to the zoo turned out to be a shocking showcase of how cruel animals are being treated in Indonesian zoos. I felt so helpless that I could not do anything to help the animals.

High-tech mass media has idolatrous effect in Indonesia By Limas Sutanto MALANG, East Java (JP): The magical influence of popular entertainment figures on their fans is obvious in Indonesia. At the end of June, Astrid Herrera, an actress in a popular telenovela Si Cantik Clara, mesmerized the masses in some big Indonesian cities.

Prostitution increasingly lucrative in Indonesia By R. Fadjri YOGYAKARTA (JP): One of the oldest professions, prostitution, continues to grow in Indonesia and there seems no way to stop the business or reduce the number of sex workers. Although prostitution can be categorized as a form of slavery, it provides a livelihood not only for the prostitute and her children and family, but also for the pimp, the security men and parking attendants in the area.

Britain and Denmark renew bridge rivalry JAKARTA (JP): A fresh bridge war is expected between Great Britain and Denmark in the 96-board final of the fifth World Junior Bridge Team Championship in Kuta, Bali, today and tomorrow. And if it comes to pass, it will be an exact repeat of last year's European Junior Championship final in the Netherlands. "There has always been a great battle between Denmark and Great Britain. In the European Junior Championship Denmark was leading comfortably.

TV today TVRI 7:00 a.m. Morning News 7:30 Healthy and Fresh with Berty Tilarso 7:40 Cartoon: Vicky The Viking 8:05 Culture Program 8:35 Children's Stories 9:00 People and Events 9:30 Comedy: Ria Jenaka 9:45 Music 10:45 Youth Program 11:15 Music 11:45 Sports: Dari Gelanggang Ke Gelanggang 1:15 p.m.

Retailers plan big 'Independence' sales JAKARTA (JP): Attention shoppers. What is being billed as one of the biggest sales ever held in Indonesia will happen Aug. 5. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), the event organizer, guarantees that it will be a genuine sale. "This is not one of those sales in which the shops get rid of old stock," Adi Putra Tahir, a senior Kadin executive promised yesterday. The event is being held to celebrate 50 years of Indonesian independence.

Artist spices up traditional cuisine JAKARTA (JP): Potter F. Widayanto is not only known for his creative clay work but also for his culinary skill. Spending most of his time in his studio in Bogor, Yanto is able to jump into a gastronomy adventure by using leaves and vegetables easily found around his house. Admitting to liking traditional Indonesian cuisine, Yanto uses the leaves to create spicy but light Indonesian food which he usually serves to visitors.

Indonesian comics: On the way out? By Rita A. Widiadana Despite worldwide comic mania, the 40-year-old Indonesian comic industry is in ruins. A lack of top level drawing skills, fresh ideas and professionalism have contributed to the collapse of the industry. The deluge of foreign comics has made the situation even more distressing. The Jakarta Post documents and analyzes this disheartening situation through interviews with cartoonists, publishers and observers.

Comics, novels available for rent JAKARTA (JP): Book rental shops are a boon for Indonesians who can't afford their favorite comics or novels. They can be found in small towns as well as big cities like Jakarta. Unlike video and laser disc rental shops, however, most book rental shops are not located in main streets, let alone in shopping malls. Subandi's shop is down a narrow alley along Jl. Pahlawan in Bogor, West Java.

Singaporean banker named ASEAN Businessman of the Year SINGAPORE (AFP): Singapore banker Wee Chao Yaw has been named the ASEAN Businessman of the Year by the ASEAN Business Forum, a coalition of industry leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Wee, chairman of the United Overseas Bank (UOB) group, received the award from Deputy Premier Lee Hsien Loong at the forum's fourth annual awards ceremony here Friday night.

Balinese women climb business ladder to success By Dini S. Djalal Ubud, Bali (JP): It must be a common mistake made by many. When first I saw the sign for Warung Made, Kuta's famed restaurant, I immediately assumed that Made was a man. The same conclusion entered my head about Ubud's most popular restaurant, Cafe Wayan. I was wrong on both accounts. It may merely be serendipity, but Bali's most respected entrepreneurs are often women.

Ardy, Susi on track for Indonesia Open titles JAKARTA (JP): Ardy Wiranata and Susi Susanti came closer to retaining their titles as the host players underlined their domination of the Indonesia Open badminton championships yesterday. Susi had a little trouble in disposing of her arch rival Lim Xiaoqing of Sweden in their semifinal match. Susi's efficient 11- 5, 11-5 win proved that her seeding was out. The Indonesian Uber Cup heroine tamed fast-tiring Lim with searing overhead lobs.

R.A. Kosasih: Pioneer of Indonesian comics By T. Sima Gunawan JAKARTA (JP): The pioneer of Indonesian comics, R.A. Kosasih, will never forget the golden age of local comic books three decades ago. "Thousands copies of my books were sold every week," the 76- year-old artist recalled. Kosasih, who started creating comic books in 1954, produced 80 pages a month. Late in the 1950s, comic books declined, Kosasih said.

Indonesian catching on in Australia By Dewi Anggraeni MELBOURNE (JP): In 1956, teaching of Bahasa Indonesia began in Australian universities. Looking back now, it seemed simple and straightforward. The students learned grammar, structure and translation, lesson in, lesson out. Then in 1969, Javanese came on the scene too, followed by Sundanese in 1974.

Nasim wins Jakarta Circuit JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's top professional golfer, Maan Nasim, vaulted to the lead after posting a seven-under-par total of 281 in the first round of the Rp 40 million (US$17,769) Jakarta Circuit 1995 on Friday. Nasim's strongest rival, Kasyadi, the 1989 Indonesia Open champion, was one stroke behind with a six-under-par total of 282. Nasim was still three strokes behind Kasyadi by the 13th hole.

Life in the fast country Have you ever noticed how fast-moving Indonesians are nowadays? Sure you have. But have you considered that their desire to be fast, faster and much faster may be the strongest among nations of the world today? Just look at the classic example of driving Jakarta style. People race their cars in the streets, never worrying whether their brakes are capable of stopping their cars in time to avoid accidents.

Bali needs to protect architectural treasures By Jean Couteau DENPASAR (JP): One of the most fascinating aspects of Bali, if too often ignored by the tourism industry, is the extraordinary order of its traditional human environment. Not only are rice fields a wonderful display of a regular human hand in otherwise tropical surrounds, but the island's architecture seems like a gift of harmony addressed to the heavenly gods.

A paradise for true nature lovers By Carl Chairul PELANG, East Java (JP): "What took me so long to find this place?" a nature lover might wonder upon visiting the beautiful, unspoiled beach of Pelang. Saying that the place is Kuta Beach, Niagara Falls and the Karangbolong Caves rolled into one might be an exaggeration. But, come on! Where in the world can you find a beautiful beach, a natural fountain, and an unexplored cave within a radius of three hundred meters?