PSM likely to beat MBR in soccer final JAKARTA (JP): PSM Ujungpandang will win today's Dunhill league final against Mastrans Bandung Raya (MBR) if it manages to play consistently, a soccer observer told a press conference yesterday. "As an observer, I think PSM has a better opportunity of becoming the champion of the Dunhill League final," Sinyo Aliandoe said. Sinyo, a former national coach, said that PSM Ujungpandang will be relying on its two strikers Brazilian Jacksen Tiago and Yusuf Ekodono.

Ancient empire of Majapahit comes to life By C.G. Miller SURABAYA (JP): On a recent visit to Indonesia's second largest city, Surabaya, I happened to be strolling by the convention rooms of my hotel, when a door was opened by an exited guest. As the door hung on its hinges, I glimpsed the speaker at the rostrum, and heard a fragment of his speech that was to change what had become an otherwise mundane visit, "...

ABRI's greatest challenge: Remaining the people's protector Text by Lela E. Madjiah and photos by Mulkan Salmona JAKARTA (JP): From what started as unarmed, untrained and often unruly bands of nationalist youths -- with the few exceptions of those who were trained by the Japanese military during their occupation of Indonesia -- the Indonesian military has developed into the most powerful and influential institution in the country to date.

Rights body promises to do its very best By Imanuddin JAKARTA (JP): At 71, Munawir Sjadzali has a new job and his children don't like it very much. "They say I have been working with the government for too long," Munawir says with a smile. "They wish I could be less busy." His adult children -- Muchlis, Mustain, Muhtadi, Mustadiyati, Mutiawati and Muflichatun -- wish their father could be "just an ordinary member" instead of the new chairman of the National Commission of Human Rights.

16 dead in Mekong flooding HANOI (AFP): Sixteen people, 15 of them children, have died in flooding in southern Vietnam's Mekong delta this month, an official from the flood control committee in a southern province said yesterday. All the sixteen deaths took place in An Giang province, which has been the worst hit so far. Floodwaters inundated some 160,000 houses and forced nearly 12,000 families to leave their homes.

TV today TVRI 6:00 a.m. Religious Teachings: Hikmah Pagi 6:25 Morning Focus 6:45 Healthy and Fit 7:00 News 7:30 TV Series: Grandizer 8:00 Fashion 9:00 English News Service 9:30 People and Events 10:00 Music: Album Minggu Ini 11:00 Children's Stories 11:30 Comedy: Ria Jenaka 11:45 Sports: Dari Gelanggang Ke Gelanggang 1:15 p.m.

UN ducks question of Afghan women UNITED NATIONS (Reuter): Security Council members expressed concern on Friday about events in Afghanistan but could not agree on criticism of the Taleban for discriminating against women when the radical Islamic group captured the Afghan capital last week. Diplomats said Italy, backed by Russia, wanted the council to mention the Taleban's treatment of women in further destabilizing the country.

Fashion students show off but subtle designs steal 1st prize By Dini S. Djalal JAKARTA (JP): At the annual Indonesian Designers Contest last week, sponsored by the Femina group of magazines, technicolor fashions of dizzying proportions came strutting down the runways. But even the velour helmets and 5-inch spikes nestling on the models' heads, not to mention the sequined brassieres, trailing tuxedos and dalmatian-spotted gowns, could not prise eyes off the models' feet.

National Games still on? From Media Indonesia For many months, contributions for the 1996 National Games (PON) were extracted from telephone and electricity subscribers every time they paid their monthly bills, also from motor vehicle owners who extended their vehicle registration. Likewise, moviegoers had to pay an additional amount when buying tickets. In each case a sticker was given. Now, with the 14th Games finished on Sept.

Human rights body needs to improve role JAKARTA (JP): The National Commission on Human Rights has so far proven to be capable of being the guardian of human rights protection in the country, as has been shown by the international and domestic respect accorded to it in the last few months. However, there are still some questions as to how independent it is as well as whether it is being overwhelmed by the onslaught of reports on rights violations.

Mahathir and Soeharto to discuss ASEAN issues KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said yesterday he would discuss with visiting Indonesian President Soeharto how both countries could take a common stance on ASEAN and APEC issues. Soeharto is scheduled to arrive for a two-day visit today, accompanied by State Secretary Moerdiono and Foreign Minister Ali Alatas, with the aim of fostering bilateral ties, officials said.

Superstitions play a big part in people's lives By Myra Sidharta JAKARTA (JP): You say you don't believe in superstition? Well, think again. Last year, Aranxta Sanchez said she won the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros Stadium, because her dog Roland was watching. But he was there again this year and she did not win. And this year, Richard Krajicek's girlfriend claimed he won Wimbledon because she was wearing a lucky hat.

Woman's body cut into three BANDUNG (JP): A 29-year-old woman was found dead in her rented room in Jl. Astanaanyar here yesterday. The body of the woman, identified as Wida, had been cut into three pieces and put in a sack, police said yesterday. Chief of the Bandung detectives, Lt.Col. Edmon Ilyas, told Antara he has deployed a special team to investigate the case. The police judged from the condition of the body that the woman had been dead for two or three days.

Rights body in the spotlight again The three-year old National Commission on Human Rights elected on Tuesday as its new chairman, Munawir Sjadzali, a former minister of religious affairs and currently an advisor to President Soeharto. The selection may prove to be the most appropriate: Munawir can be expected to find and maintain a proper level of independence, mixed with just the right amount of affability.

600 police safeguard football match tonight JAKARTA (JP): At least 600 police equipped with batons and five dogs will be deployed for the final between Mastrans Bandung Raya and PSM Ujungpandang of the Indonesian football championship here tonight. Hundreds of military personnel will back up the police to avoid a repeat of the mass brawls and vandalism which erupted around Senayan stadium shortly after a weakened Mastrans defeated Mitra Surabaya in the semifinal match on Friday.

Soeharto orders ABRI to safeguard election JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto yesterday ordered the Armed Forces (ABRI) to make every effort to protect the 1997 general election against possible disturbances. "ABRI must do everything in its power to safeguard the general election against any incident that could tarnish its reputation as the clearest manifestation of people's sovereignty," Soeharto said in a speech marking ABRI's 51st anniversary.

Controversial cases dominate human rights body's work JAKARTA (JP): The National Commission on Human Rights has received thousands of reports of human rights violations since it was established in late 1993. Last year alone it received 3,321 letters. Most are related to land and worker disputes. However, it has been the political reports, involving disputes between individuals or groups and the authorities, which have drawn national and international attention.