Demand for cultural tourism is increasing By 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. This new trend in tourism was revealed at the recent International Conference on Tourism and Heritage Management in Yogyakarta.

Malaysia offers new attractions to tourists By 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. Below is his report: KUALA LUMPUR (JP): Tourism has played a major role in Malaysia's economic growth, and the Kuala Lumpur government is still pushing it hard.

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. He is one foreign scholar who has brought Indonesia to the world's attention. The San Francisco-born Geertz is renowned as an ardent researcher of Indonesian, and Javanese society in particular.

Proposal on religion From Kompas President 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 Pancasila. A degradation of religious values could see misunderstanding of the first principle. Being a citizen loyal to Pancasila, I hope very much the President's statement will soon be realized.

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. Takuma took a commanding lead from the outset all the way to the finishing line, completely unchallenged.

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. Deputy Premier Lee Hsien Loong said the government would build the MRT line at a cost of between S$700 to S$800 million (US$500 to $571 million), the Straits Times reported.

The secrets and specialty of the 'lontar' manuscripts By 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. Beliefs such as magical spells, holy mythology, epics or chronicles. In later development, profane literature such as law and legislation, architecture, construction, and medicines were written on lontar.

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. Religious processions involving huge numbers of people are common in Bali, where religious and traditional values are strongly held. It is a part of their cultural life, which has strong tourist appeal.

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. Pelita Jaya manager Andrie Amin said Friday that club trainers have continued to sharpen the teamwork of the two strikers who will play together in a team for the first time.

Auction of Wu Guanzhong's works reaps over $2m By 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 US$2 million. The event opened on a painting of the River Seine, (1989), with bidding starting slowly, and auction house Sotheby's spruiker Quek Chin Yeow enticing the audience to participate.

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. Paimin, said yesterday the 24-year-old novice television series actress was scheduled to arrive at the Soekarno-Hatta International airport by national airline Garuda Indonesia from Los Angeles.

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. The co-accused, Graf's former financial advisor Joachim Eckhardt, was also released on bail of $200,000. The prosecutor's office has appealed the decision and the ruling will be heard by the appeal court in Karlsruhe.

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. Thousands had gathered at the Komoro airport since morning to welcome the Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Roads leading to the airport were congested with hundreds of motorcycles and cars.

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, in Yogyakarta. How can Indonesia deal with the challenges in pursuing projected targets in the tourism industry? The Jakarta Post's reporters Rita A. Widiadana, I.