RI remains against ties with Israel JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia remains firmly against establishing diplomatic relations with Israel and refutes suggestions that a peace agreement between Damascus and Tel Aviv would be a precursor to ties with Jakarta.

Advertisers change sales pitch to discerning Asians By Ong Saw Lay KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): As Asia's middle classes have bloomed, their appetites have changed, posing a challenge for advertisers who now have to pitch to discerning and yet still widely varied markets in this vast region. With rising affluence, more and more Asians, flaunting the ubiquitous mobile phones and credit cards as status symbols, are settling for nothing less than designer labels, advertisers say.

Public transport goes on strike BANDUNG: Hundreds of striking public transport drivers parked their minibuses along Jl. Diponegoro for three hours yesterday, leaving thousands of passengers on the Cicaheum - Ledeng route stranded. Driver Tatang told Antara that he and his friends staged the strike in protest at the number of new minibuses operating illegally. Competition among the 200 registered public transport vehicles is stiff enough, without having to contend with the new ones, he said.

Polonia's revenues up JAKARTA (JP): The Polonia airport at Medan, North Sumatra, reported a 9 percent revenue increase from Rp 24.5 billion (US$10.65 million) in 1994 to Rp 26.7 billion last year, an executive said yesterday. "Last year's revenue exceeded our target of Rp 24 billion," the head of the Polonia branch of the state-owned airports firm PT Angkasa Pura II, Mulyono DS, was quoted by Antara as saying in Medan.

Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Jan. 29, 1996: Shares Close Change Trading Volume ------------------------------------------------------ Ades Alfindo 700 0 3,000 AHAP Insurance 3,000 -100 15,000 Alumindo Perkasa 1,375 0 0 Andayani Megah 1,925 -50 357,500 Aneka Kimia Raya 5,900 -200 1,000 Anwar Sierad 1,125 0 22,500 Aqua Golden Mississippi 1,500 0 0 Argha Karya Prima Industry 2,100 0 0 Argo Pantes 1,800 0 62,000 Asahimas Flat 2,725 50 322,000 Asiana IMI...