A trip down river into Gunung Leuser National ParkText and photos by Nicky Walsh ACEH (JP): Scattered across the archipelago, Indonesia's national parks provide a safe haven for the rapidly diminishing flora and rarely seen fauna.

Moslems told to preserve unity PROBOLINGGO, East Java (JP): President Soeharto yesterday reminded Indonesia's Moslems of their duty to preserve the unity of the nation in which people from other faiths, traditions and cultures also live.

'The Truth': Sensitive new age man meets plain-JaneBy Jane Freebury JAKARTA (JP): From an empty beach at midday the camera drifts to a seaside suburb and the solitary pedestrian striding along the pavement.

Many hotels on drawing board despite doldrums JAKARTA (JP): While the hotel business in the city is in the doldrums, the supply of hotel rooms is expected to soar in the coming years.At least 28 hotel projects are already in the pipeline.

Can souvenirs become a major forex earner?By Robert Sinuhaji JAKARTA (JP): In a bid to focus the development of the tourist industry, the Ministry of Tourism, Post and Telecommunications set minimum and maximum targets for the growth in the number of tourist arrivals during the Sixth Five-Year...

Jakarta sells itself to MICE markets abroad JAKARTA (JP): Better late than never, as the saying goes. Although quite late, Jakarta is now vigorously selling itself abroad to grab a slice of the burgeoning meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) business in the region.

Madura swimming on 'SCTV' JAKARTA (JP): No less than 2,000 people are expected to pack the Madura Strait, East Java, tomorrow in the Suramadu marathon swimming competition.The swimmers will form a 4.5-kilometer human bridge spanning from Dermaga Ujung, Surabaya to Madura.

Indonesia falls at final bridge hurdle JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia came within a whisker of fulfilling its dreams of winning its first Bridge Olympics gold medal but eventually crashed to a 238-329 defeat to defending champion France in the men's final on Rhodes Island, Greece, last night.

Hotel association stresses professionalism JAKARTA (JP): What would happen if no more tourists visited Bali? Imagine all the jobless Balinese.This could actually happen if the country's leading tourist destination is taken for granted, says the chairman of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant...

Strike agreement signed MANILA (AFP): Philippine Airlines (PAL) management and union leaders signed an agreement before Labor Secretary Leonardo Quisumbing yesterday ending a four-day strike that has disrupted air traffic.

Competition on for hotels, serviced apartments JAKARTA (JP): The operation of several serviced apartments is likely to tighten the already fierce competition in the hotel business. But there remain differing opinions on whether the two similar businesses are competing in the same market segment.

Guess What? Michael Jackson may be the King of Pop, but Philippine first lady Amelita Ramos has refused to receive him at the presidential palace in December, a Manila newspaper reported Thursday.President Fidel Ramos's wife turned down the gloved one's request for an audience due to the...

Significance of Malaysia's UN roleBy Johan Saravanamuttu Among small-sized countries Malaysia has a disproportionate role in the United Nations. On its 51st anniversary, the United Nations has come under intense scrutiny by its 185 member states seeking to refurbish it with an authority and...

Hotel slug it out in starry-eyed war New star-rated hotels are rising across Jakarta's skyline while the market for them is in the doldrums. Competition is fierce; top-end hotels compete head-to-head not only within their own star category but also against lower rated hotels and fully serviced...

TV todayTVRI 6:00 a.m. Religious Teachings: Hikmah Pagi 6:25 Morning news 6:45 Healthy and Fit 7:00 News 7:30 TV Series: Grandizer 8:00 Children's Program: Panggung Gembira Anak 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...

Costly trip from Taman MiniFrom NeracaRecently, my family and I spent a holiday at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah. I was able to enjoy the various cultures of Indonesia. I was awed at Indonesia's ability to unite so many cultures within the scope of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity).