Cultural tourism gains prominence Tourism is crucial as a source of foreign exchange. The government predicts it will be the largest foreign exchange earner by the year 2005. A new trend in tourism has emerged, as revealed at the recent International Conference on Tourism and Heritage Management,...

Thousands welcome Bishop Belo in Dili JAKARTA (JP): A sea of supporters shouting "Viva Bishop Belo" welcomed Dili Bishop Carlos Felipe Ximenes Belo when he arrived yesterday in the East Timor capital of Dili from a controversy- plagued trip in Jakarta.

Peter Graf out on US$3.3m bail MANNHEIM, Germany (AFP): Peter Graf, father of tennis star Steffi Graf, left prison here Friday afternoon on US$3.3 million bail after being held in custody for 15 months on tax charges.

Zarina expected to return to Jakarta today JAKARTA (JP): After 100 days in hiding, Zarina, the Ecstasy- case escapee, has agreed to return to Jakarta from the United States, and is expected to arrive this morning.The Jakarta CID Police chief, Col.

Auction of Wu Guanzhong's works reaps over $2mBy Amir Sidharta JAKARTA (JP): 1996 seems to be the year of art auctions in Indonesia, and last Monday, a little publicized auction of paintings by world renowned Chinese artist Wu Guanzhong, organized by the Bimantara Foundation, quietly fetched over...

Pelita to use Kurniawan, Glusevic JAKARTA (JP): Pelita Jaya's striking duo of Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto and Dejan Glusevic will assume the role of spearheaders for the giant Jakarta-based club in the third Indonesian League soccer competition which kicks off today.

Discontentment grows at tourist projects in Bali JAKARTA (JP): On a rainy morning in February l994, thousands of people strolled the major streets of Denpasar, the capital of Bali, Indonesia's most popular tourist destination.

The secrets and specialty of the 'lontar' manuscriptsBy Rosa Widyawan JAKARTA (JP): For some ethnic groups, lontar was more than palmyra leaf. It also meant paper and manuscripts.Its function was to record knowledge relating to local beliefs, reflecting the values of peace and happiness.

Singapore to have MRT link to airport SINGAPORE (AFP): Singapore will introduce a mass rapid transit (MRT) line to Changi Airport to cope with the increasing number of passengers using the world-class airport, a report said yesterday.

Japanese rider clinches Gudang Garam race title DENPASAR, Bali (JP): Japanese rider Dan Takuma, a bronze medalist at the Atlanta Olympics, had too much firepower for his Indonesian adversaries yesterday, winning the Gudang Garam Mountainbike cycling race with consummate ease.

Proposal on religionFrom KompasPresident Soeharto's recent statement on the need to hold periodic meetings with elders of the various religions in Indonesia, is a laudable proposal. Especially since the people of Indonesia highly respect religious norms, as reflected in the first principle of...

A scholar's love affair with Indonesia YOGYAKARTA (JP): For many Indonesian scholars, he is a living legend. For the international academic circle, he is their reference on Indonesia.Clifford Geertz, a 70-year old American anthropologist, has been associated with Indonesia for almost four decades.

Malaysia offers new attractions to touristsBy Lukman Natanagara Malaysia Promotion Tourism Board (MPTB) and Malaysia Airlines (MAS) recently invited 12 Indonesian journalists to visit several tourist destinations in Malaysia. Joining the tour was The Jakarta Post reporter.

Demand for cultural tourism is increasingBy Rita A. Widiadana JAKARTA (JP): Cultural and heritage-related tourism is a major pillar of the world tourism industry and will continue to be in great demand in the 21st century.