Jakarta gets decked out in colorful lights JAKARTA (JP): Indonesians could not have chosen a better month to gain their independence. Not only is August a bright, sunny month, it also means grand, magnificent, stately or brilliant. Now, the city is living up to the last term in that list of meanings as Aug. 17 nears. Mansions and huts alike are sparkling with the colorful lights put up to mark the most important day in the life of every Indonesian.

Remembering proclamation of independence JAKARTA (JP): One day a slave, the next day free. Only those who have been subjected to oppression by foreign rules can understand the joy of freedom. Indonesia's long and arduous journey came to an end on Aug. 17, 1945. The men who fought for liberty have long been given their place in Indonesian history, not so the women who supported them with their talent for caring.

Mr and Miss Jakarta named JAKARTA (JP): Cucu Ahmad Kurnia, 24, and Fifi Aleyda Yahya, 22, have won the 1995 Abang and None (Mr. and Miss) Jakarta Contest, held at the Fatahillah Museum in West Jakarta Friday night. The two beat 14 other couples, many of whom suffered serious stage fright when they had to walk in front of the audience, which included Governor Surjadi Soedirdja and his wife, Minister of Manpower Abdul Latief and a number of foreign ambassadors to Indonesia.

Women behind history of Proclamation Monument By T. Sima Gunawan JAKARTA (JP): One thing we should envy the Americans is, not Disneyland, but their Independence Hall in Philadelphia, where the American Declaration of Independence was adopted and the U.S. Constitution shaped. Today, both American and foreign tourists are able to visit the building where the Declaration of Independence, which was drafted by Thomas Jefferson, was read for the first time on July 8, 1776 by Col.

Anniversary joy peaks at Senayan By Johannes Simbolon and Yoko N. Sari JAKARTA (JP): They came from all over town. Most did not know each other, could even be foes, either in real life, or in their political convictions. But last night they became one, bound by a single objective: To participate in the Golden Indonesian People's Party at the east parking lot of Senayan, South Jakarta. A crowd of around 200,000 created a breathtaking sight last night.

Guess What? Sutardjianto To some government officials, rock and rap music may cause serious allergic reactions. But for West Jakarta Mayor H. Sutardjianto, it is entertaining. "I like rock music although sometimes I can't comprehend the meaning of foreign rock songs. But, I like local rock such as that produced by Gito Rolies," said the mayor last Thursday. The mayor added that he also loves pop and keroncong music. "Music will make our lives easier and happier," he explained.

Until rooms in our mansion do us part JAKARTA (JP): When Haryono met Salyah (this is not the title of a movie, mind you) they fell in love instantly. They vowed to live happily ever after. "I'm not a fortune hunter," said Salyah (later known as Sally). "All I need is a piece of floor ..." "And a little roof," interrupted Haryono, nicknamed Harry. "As long as we are together, I don't mind living in a small hut." That romantic piece of conversation took place more than two decades ago.

Big challenge no hurdle for Yayuk at Acura MANHATTAN BEACH, California (Agencies): Powerful serves displayed by Yayuk Basuki claimed another major casualty at the Acura Classic tennis championships on Friday as the Indonesian toppled fourth seed Lindsay Davenport of the United States for her second semifinal appearance of the year. Unseeded Yayuk drilled her belting serves to put Davenport out of the US$430,000 tournament with a 6-4, 1-6, 6-4 win.

More advice I didn't know exactly how to react when I saw my name in the article in the By The Way column of The Jakarta Post on Aug. 6, 1995. It was first an unpleasant surprise to be confronted in an imaginary "boxing contest" with Farid Baskoro. Such an illustration is taboo for Indonesians, especially for the Javanese. Considering that I am an elderly man of almost 70 years, it is an insulting joke against elderly people. This is also a kind of hooliganism, in another form and other manner.

Young Chinese shuttler beats Ardy in U.S. Open ATLANTA, Georgia (Agencies): Ardy Wiranata may have to prepare himself for his second Olympic agony what with crashing to defeat at the hands of Chinese young gun Dong Jiong in the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open badminton championships on Friday. Top seed Ardy, Indonesia's world number two, displayed a stubborn defense, but could come up with a quick attacking game like that employed by the towering Dong, who went on for a classy 15-7, 15-5 win.

Paul Stokell storms opening win JAKARTA (JP): Experience stoked Australian Paul Stokell's forceful drive to victory in the first race of the Formula Brabham championship at the Sentul circuit yesterday. Driving a Reynard 91D, Stokell (left above) completed the 20 laps on the 3.9-kilometer circuit in 28:05.552, ahead of local favorite Roy Haryanto (left below) who finished more than 29 seconds behind. Another Australian, Craig Lowndes, came third with a time of 28:37.339.

Koes Plus concert revives past splendour By Rita A. Widiadana JAKARTA (JP): "What is Koes Plus?" a teenager asked when she was told about the band's recent show at the Plenary Hall, Jakarta Convention Center, Wednesday night. For this 18-year-old girl and her peers, who prefer to listen to rock and rap music, Koes Plus may mean nothing. But ask any of their mothers, fathers, uncles or aunties, they may be one of the band's faithful fans.

Improved competitiveness in export products urged JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto warned yesterday that Indonesia could not continue to rely on cheap labor as a competitive edge for its export products. "We have no choice but to develop industries which are highly competitive and reliable.

Helpmann artists display their works in Yogyakarta By R. Fadjri YOGYAKARTA (JP): Today's fine arts have developed beyond pure art (painting, sculpture, graphic arts), thanks to the teaching of applied arts, such as craft and design, at fine arts academies which have yielded works on a par with fine arts works. Contemporary fine arts on the basis of pluralism, and its characteristic that allows great freedom in exploration, have brought applied art to the non-functional world.

Spas flowing with the tide of trendy lifestyles By Benito Lopulalan DENPASAR (JP): Culture used to be Bali's strongest selling point, aside from its heavenly scenery. Today, they no longer suffice, thanks to the changing lifestyle of its visitors. "Bali will be a mega-resort," says Ralf Luthe, General Manager of Grand Mirage Hotel. "Initially, it started by catering to cultural tourists.

Author of 'Atheis' surveys change in country By Kadek Adnyana CANBERRA (JP): Most of the Indonesian writers of the 1945 generation have now left the stage. If they are still called to witness, it is usually through their texts, through the reconstruction of their opinions for modern meanings and intentions.

Lombok isle slowly stretches to meet tourism boom By Prapti Widinugraheni SENGGIGI, West Nusa Tenggara (JP): The tiny island of Lombok, with its sunny skies, white sandy beaches and swaying palm trees, is a perfect portrayal of a tranquil, unspoiled tropical paradise. However, people are beginning to wonder how long it will take before Lombok -- said to be a replica of Bali 20 years ago -- catches the contagious "tourism boom" virus from its bustling neighbor.

French fireworks to highlight golden anniversary JAKARTA (JP): The French government has come up with a unique idea for a gift. It is providing a pyrotechnical spectacle for Indonesia's celebration of its 50th anniversary of independence.

Iem Davis, Joan Brown throw light in RI poetry Di Serambi (On the Verandah); A BILINGUAL ANTHOLOGY OF MODERN INDONESIA POETRY; Edited and translated by Iem Brown and Joan Davis; Cambridge University Press 1995; Paperback 149 pp; RRP $16.95 MELBOURNE, Australia (JP): One way of appreciating a particular culture is through its poetry, because poetry comes from the deepest chamber of the poet's soul.