Costly trip from Taman Mini From Neraca Recently, 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). And why not? Here we have a host of assorted cultures that are united in one purpose: to work hand in hand to build the nation. However, I had transportation problems.

TV today TVRI 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 Jenaka 11:45 Sports: Dari Gelanggang Ke Gelanggang 12:45 p.m.

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 apartments. Jakarta's target market is shifting away from its traditional customer base of commercial travelers toward clients from the service sector.

Significance of Malaysia's UN role By 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 efficacy that they believe befits its contemporary role. Malaysia has been particularly vocal and insistent on reforming the United Nations. Why is this so and what are Malaysia's objectives in doing so?

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 controversial legal action brought by children he allegedly molested, the Philippine Inquirer said, quoting unnamed palace sources.

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. Several hotel executive managers contacted by The Jakarta Post acknowledged that to some extent, serviced apartments could snap up hotels' long-term guests.

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. The agreement called on all strikers to return to work by noon, today and negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) would resume this month, officials said.

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 Association, Pontjo Nugro Susilo Sutowo.

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. Playing under the watchful eyes of the Indonesian Contract Bridge Association's chairman, Lt. Gen.

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. The formation is expected to be complete at around 9 a.m. Surabaya-based private TV station SCTV will air the event live starting from 8 a.m.

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. Compared with Hong Kong and Singapore, which have been popular MICE destinations for over 20 years, "Jakarta is a teenager," said Brendan Inns, marketing director of the Grand Hyatt Jakarta hotel.

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 Development Program (Pelita VI from 1989-1994). These rates were 11 percent and 13 percent respectively. And average tourist expenses were projected at US$1.37 per person per day.

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. As most of the projects will be completed before 2000, there are concerns about decreasing occupancy rates and greater competition among hotels. These are the new hotel projects in Jakarta: 1. Ancol Mal in Taman Impian Jaya Ancol, North Jakarta.

'The Truth': Sensitive new age man meets plain-Jane By 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. She has a knapsack on her back, black stockings on her legs, and Doc Martens on her feet, and is clothed in the nondescript apparel of someone who wants to escape notice. This short, stocky figure is on her way to work. It is Dr.

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. "Given the diversity of our nation, we have to strive to preserve unity and cohesion," Soeharto said in an address to gathering of leaders of pesantren (Moslem boarding schools) associated with the powerful Nahdlatul Ulama (NU).

A trip down river into Gunung Leuser National Park Text 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. Their very inaccessibility ensures that these regions remain relatively undisturbed and protected. One way into the heart of these areas, is by nature's own highway, the river.