Establishments seek permits for X-mas festivities JAKARTA (JP): Almost 200 entertainment centers have requested permits for Christmas and New Year's Eve celebrations, a city public order official said Wednesday. Entertainment sites should have permits for entertainment, opening hours, distribution of door prizes, and for hiring foreign artists, Toha Reno, the head of the office's entertainment division said.

Chemical tank collapses, 3 die BANTEN, West Java: A huge chemical storage tank under construction at PT Priontal in Merak, West Java, collapsed in strong, high-speed winds Wednesday afternoon killing three people and injuring two others. The almost completed storage tank -- 43 meters in diameter and 14 meters high, with a 15,000-tonne capacity -- was built by PT Pandan Mas. Those who died were Darmadi, 36, Hartoyo, 22 and Kuswandi, 23.

Port becomes sea of stranded vehicles BANTEN, West Java: Merak, the biggest ferry port on the western tip of Java, has been a sea of stranded trucks and cars for the past four days. Antara reported yesterday that the traffic jam, similar to those in the Idul Fitri Moslem holidays, was due a dearth of ferries working the Sunda Strait from Merak in West Java to Bakauheni in Sumatra. Of the 16 ferries usually serving the route, only 6 are operating.

Illegal levies From Republika The society, the Moslems in particular, would be grateful if Republika would uncover the practice of illegal levies taking place in the district offices of religious matters (KUA). This malfeasance has reached a point that is beyond comprehension.

Students drowned while fishing BOYOLALI, Central Java: Four students from Blumbang village, in the Klego subdistrict, drowned Wednesday after falling into the Bade dam while fishing with five other children. They were Agus Santoso, 11, Marsono, 14, Partin, 15, and Purwanto, 15, Antara reported yesterday. The four were fishing from the embankment when, dissatisfied with their catch, they decided to explore the marsh and suddenly slipped into a hole. The students could not swim. (swe)

National players shine in RI Masters JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's national men's team still dominates the 1996 BNI Indonesia Masters at the Jakarta Hilton International Hotel after eliminating their rivals yesterday. The country's number one player Andrian Raturandang, who won 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 against junior Djanuar Radjab Wednesday, beat junior Edo Bawono in group B to face Sulistyo Wibowo today. Sulistyo, who defeated Edo 5-7, 6-2, 6-1, beat Djanuar 6-2, 7- 6 (7-2).

Fidel Ramos' health worries Philippines By Raju Gopalakrishnan MANILA (Reuter): President Fidel Ramos' brief stay in hospital has set off worries in the Philippines but financial markets have remained calm because of his subsequent flurry of public appearances, analysts said on Thursday. Ramos, a youthful 68-year-old who jogs, plays golf and is known to enjoy a twirl on the dance floor, complained of pains in his joints last week and was admitted to hospital for the weekend.

Sutiyoso to sing on stage JAKARTA (JP): City Military Commander Maj. Gen. Sutiyoso will show off his singing ability at a musical show tomorrow at the Senayan eastern parking lot. The two-star general would sing an old local song titled Bujangan (Bachelor) with the Gigi band, Antara reported yesterday. The show, called "Parade Musik" (Musical Parade), is to mark the 47th anniversary of the Jakarta Military Command which falls on Dec. 28. Lt. Col.

Drowsiness leads to pile up TANGERANG, West Java: A sleepy truck driver caused a four-car pile up on Jl. H. Juanda late Wednesday. The driver was heading toward Ciputat when he crashed into the car in front of him pushing it into the two cars ahead of it. No one was seriously injured. The accident occurred about 8:30 p.m. and caused a three-hour traffic jam from Pondok Indah, South Jakarta, to the accident site.