Sifting through pieces of Indonesian maritime history Text and photos by Bambang Budi Utomo JAKARTA (JP): My forefathers were people of the sea. Conquering the wide open seas was their passion... This song was popular years ago with school children and villagers. But today it is barely heard, despite the fact that our forefathers were renowned seaman and that the year 1996 has been declared the Year of the Sky and the Sea by President Soeharto.

Cambodia edges towards peace, prosperity and democracy By Sorpong Peou Prospects for peace in the country have improved following a split in the Khmer Rouge Cambodia may be on a slow but sure path towards peace, prosperity and democracy. The recent split in the Khmer Rouge between the so-called "moderates" led by former number two Ieng Sary and the so-called "hardliners" personified by Pol Pot is good news for the country and for Southeast Asia, for a number of reasons.

Wang set for second straight win in Indonesia SURABAYA, East Java (Agencies): Defending champion Wang Shi- Ting and fourth seeded Nana Miyagi both scored straight set victories to reach the final of the US$107,500 Wismilak International here yesterday.

Guess What? Journalists don't give up easily and when they press their interviewees for an answer, they often end up irritating them. That happened on Wednesday of Oct. 9. Actually it was a great day for journalists, who were covering two Army events in Bandung -- the installment of Maj. Gen. Luhut Panjaitan as the new commandant of the Bandung Infantry Weapons Center, replacing Maj. Gen. Rachmad Mokoginta, and the installment of Maj. Gen.

More people use services of 'satpam' A high crime rate and robust economic growth have led many wealthy people to hiring security guards to protect their lives, families and properties. The Jakarta Post reporters Gedsiri Suhartono, K. Basrie and Prapti Widinugraheni have prepared the following article, as well as other related stories on Page 2 and 9 about security guards. JAKARTA (JP): In the early 1970s, the issue of neighborhood and personal security was nothing big.

Jakartans differ over services of 'satpam' JAKARTA (JP): Some might say that hiring a satpam or a personal bodyguard is just a waste of money. But they will change their mind when their family or property is attacked. The Jakarta Post asked people what they think. Fitri, a high school student who lives in affluent Menteng, Central Jakarta: "My parents have four guards to ensure that our household stays in touch with what's going on in the neighborhood.

India is cementing closer relations with ASEAN S.D. Muni looks at how common interests are drawing India and ASEAN closer together. India's maiden participation in the Jakarta ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and Post-Ministerial Conference (PMC) meetings was low-key but confident. It could not have been otherwise in view of India's broad harmony with the ASEAN states on the ARF's basic agenda and security concerns.

ITB grants Hartarto honorary doctoral degree BANDUNG, West Java (JP): Hartarto Sastrosoenarto, coordinating minister for production and distribution, was awarded an honorary doctoral degree yesterday by the prestigious Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB). Hartarto, who was born in Surakarta, Central Java, 64 years ago, is the third person, after Indonesia's first president Sukarno and Soetaryo Sigit, to be granted an honorary doctorate by the institute.

Scratch my back, and I'll scratch yours JAKARTA (JP): I had been driving around the parking ground of a government building for fifteen minutes, desperately trying to find a parking space, when my lady-friend pushed the horn and held up two fingers. To my surprise, it worked magic. An attendant nodded and ushered my car into a "RESERVED" parking space. "How did you do that?" I asked admiringly. "That's what friends are for," she said, and winked. "How long have you known each other?" I asked.

Basic training course a must for city's 'satpam' By Prapti Widinugraheni JAKARTA (JP): The rise in brutal crime has put the fear of God into many Jakartans. Many households and most offices in Jakarta already employ security guards, known as satpam. In their white and navy blue, satpam are often taken for granted. People have better things to do than look into a satpam's wary eyes.

Erby pulls no punches for the stars By K. Basrie JAKARTA (JP): Guarding celebrities is still an unusual profession here. Many local dignitaries feel safe enough walking around, even in big cities like Jakarta, without "Rambos" to fend off bothersome fans and make sure they don't get hurt. Why? Well, maybe city folk here are indifferent to fame. Or perhaps celebrities just don't like hiring bodyguards.

Nobel prize for Horta sends the wrong message: Alatas JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas says the decision to award exiled East Timor separatist leader Jose Ramos Horta the Nobel Peace Prize has sent the "wrong" message to Indonesia. "Obviously, the (Norwegian Nobel) Committee has every right to give the award to anyone it wants," Alatas, who was in Hamburg, Germany on Friday night, told Antara.

Government intervention in economy still needed By Prapti Widinugraheni MEDAN, North Sumatra (JP): The 13th congress of the Indonesian Economists Association (ISEI) closed here yesterday with its participants agreeing to the inarguable need for government intervention in the country's economic system. The participants also noted the need for the government to manage the country's macroeconomics and, at the same time, supervise the manufacturing sector to achieve sound development.

Right body reaffirms findings on July 27 riot JAKARTA (JP): The National Commission on Human Rights announced yesterday that one of the five fatalities in the July 27 riots resulted from a gunshot wound. While reaffirming its previous findings that five people were killed, 149 injured and reducing the number of missing people from 74 to 23, the commission also implicated the government and the military in the riot.

Student brawls From Republika The increased frequency of brawling among secondary school students in Jakarta is a tremendous worry. The brawls seem to be organized and have increased in brutality. It is regrettable that some victims are students of good conduct. I would like to appeal to all sides concerned to cease these fights. The stiffest possible penalty should be given to students who participate in brawls.

Motorcyclists in Jakarta From Bisnis Indonesia A growing number of motorcyclists in Jakarta ignore traffic signs, thereby endangering other road users. They drive on the sidewalks of Jl. Matraman, Sudirman and Tomang, depriving pedestrians of their right of way. It is puzzling that the police hardly ever take disciplinary action against offending motorcyclists. The recently introduced Traffic Law No. 14 says that steps are to be taken against all traffic offenders.