Bali governor annuls beer levy JAKARTA (JP): Bali Governor Ida Bagus Oka has revoked a controversial ruling allowing a private firm to impose a levy on sales of alcoholic drinks. H.S.A. Yussac, a spokesman for the Ministry of Home Affairs, confirmed that the ruling was revoked on Friday. "Governor Oka has reported the withdrawal of the ruling allowing PT Arbamass Multi Investico to impose a levy on the sales of alcoholic drinks in Bali to Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.

No sex please, this is Bali JAKARTA (JP): The regency of Badung, which governs Kuta beach, promised to stamp out the area's illicit sex trade. "Bali is not Hollywood," Kompyang R. Swandika, the head of the regency's tourism office, told Antara. "Everything that smacks of the sex trade is forbidden here. Everything must comply with the rules and the norms of the Balinese culture," he said.

TV today TVRI 7:00 a.m. Morning News 7:30 Healthy and Fit 7:40 TV Series: Speed Keteers 8:05 Children World: Panggung Gembira Anak 8:35 Children Stories 9:00 People and Events 9:30 Comedy: Ria Jenaka 9:45 Music: Album Kita 10:45 Youth Program: Temu Remaja 11:15 Make Up 11:45 Sports: Dari Gelanggang ke Gelanggang 12:45 p.m.

Urbanites preparing the trip home for Idul Fitri holidays By Johannes Simbolon JAKARTA (JP): Mudik again! In a torrent, tens of millions of people from across the country and overseas will simultaneously pour into Java to celebrate Idul Fitri with their families. Java, the world's most populous island with 107.6 million people, will become more packed than usual.

Ramadhan time for Jakarta Sunday Maghrib 6.19 p.m. Monday Imsak 4:29 a.m. Subuh 4.39 a.m.

Guess What? Say it with a kiss, instead of flowers. That's how businessman Indra Rukmana congratulated his wife Siti Hardiyanti on her induction as the new chairperson of the Indonesian Volleyball Association on Wednesday. "He's my husband. I need his support for everything I do," said Siti Hardiyanti, who is widely known as Mbak Tutut. "I decided to accept this new job, only after my husband pledged he would help me. I'm not a person who can handle everything," she said.

Can the Indonesian press be impartial? JAKARTA (JP): The ideal press is impartial. However, many factors prevent the Indonesian press from exercising this important quality. How neutral and objective is the Indonesian press? The Jakarta Post interviewed readers of news publications and journalists about the subject. Andre Hehanusa, singer: The press should be balanced, which means that they have to give equal coverage to both arguing parties.

'Busana Muslim' business endures share of growing pains JAKARTA (JP): As with all blossoming businesses, the busana Muslim (Moslem fashion) industry will have to endure its share of growing pains. Dimas Mahendra is one of many designers annoyed by the vulgar commercialization of the industry. "Busana Muslim should cover everything except the face and the hands. Just because an outfit is worn with a head-dress doesn't make it busana Muslim," Mahendra said.

Moslem Fashion: Crossing the ages behind the veil By Dini S. Djalal Say to the believing women, that they... reveal not their adornment... and let them cast their veils over their bosoms... -- Koran, Sura XXIV:31 JAKARTA (JP): In accordance with the above verse in the Koran, veiling is Islam's most striking symbol. Whether cloaked from head to toe in a black shroud, or in colorful shalwar kameez pantsuits, the modest Moslem woman stirs both admiration and debate.

Flood sweeps across Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): Thousands of people fled their homes, some to hotels or relatives, others to their rooftops, yesterday as floods struck many parts of Jakarta following heavy rains the previous night. Reports that three people were killed could not be immediately confirmed. One of the reports said that a boy was drowned and his body found in a stream in Pondok Indah, South Jakarta.

Dangerous routes bedevil travelers JAKARTA (JP): A recent survey of accident locations labeled some streets and roads dangerous. The cause of the accidents range from the quality of the roads to the absence of traffic signs. Homebound travelers should take care on the following dangerous and flood-prone routes.

Floods wreak havoc among Jakartans JAKARTA (JP): A senior scholar lost his collection of books, a woman almost delivered her baby on a rooftop and a family canceled their plan to return to their home village for the coming holiday. Yet, the flood that struck Jakarta yesterday had positive moments in the solidarity shown among its victims and in the opportunity some young boys found to earn money by helping push cars which broke down in the water.

Guess What? Photo sessions put people's images at stake because the pictures published aren't always the most flattering. Just as photographers were about to push their shutter buttons at the National Sports Council office on Wednesday, Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Wiranto ordered them to halt. "Wait, wait. Which one of you is from Pos Kota?" asked the two-star general, looking around for the photographer from the popular daily.

Heavy rain delays RI-Korea tennis duel JAKARTA (JP): Heavy rain washed out the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania zone matches between Indonesia and South Korea here yesterday, prompting a 24-hour delay of the crucial doubles match. The organizing committee decided not to stage the match when the rain which had been falling on the capital from Friday night was still coming down at 2 p.m., while the match had been scheduled to start at noon.

Athletic body unveils plan for SEA Games JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Track and Field Association revealed on Friday the key measures it expects to boost its athletes' performance at the 1997 Southeast Asian Games here. The association's training director Gurmilang Kartasasmita told a hearing with the National Sports Council that the country's athletes need a long-term training program. "We are the first sports organization to kick off the training program for the SEA Games," Gurmilang said.

Mailmen need bags of determination to do their jobs JAKARTA (JP): True to his trade, the mailman refused to give up. He leaned on the bell, hoping someone would eventually come out of the house to get the letter he was carrying. There was no mailbox, and observing regulations, the mailman waited for someone to emerge. Someone did eventually come out, only to yell "I'm eating," and instead of a "Thank you" delivered a punch to the mailman's face.

Make sure your car can make it home as well JAKARTA (JP): About three and half million people will pour out of Greater Jakarta to celebrate Idul Fitri in their hometowns. If you plan to be among the throng and already have an airline ticket in hand, then you can count yourself lucky. If you are going to drive yourself, be prepared. The government estimates that 1.85 million travelers will leave on public transportation, mostly buses. Obviously, there will be terrible traffic jams.

Surya Paloh: A publisher with idealism By T. Sima Gunawan In conjunction with National Press Day and the 50th anniversary of the Indonesian Journalists Association, which fell on Feb. 9, The Jakarta Post talked to publisher Surya Paloh. JAKARTA (JP): Surya Paloh secured a spot in the history of the Indonesian press as the first publisher to challenge the validity of a government press ban in court.

Guess What? What do Demi Moore and Dessy Ratnasari have in common? Both of them have their handprints at Planet Hollywood. The difference is that Demi More made the handprints in the United States, while Dessy in Jakarta. "Alhamdulillah (Thank God)," Dessy said in the handprinting ceremony earlier this week. Dessy is the third local artist whose handprints adorn Planet Hollywood's walls after Rano Karno and Yuni Shara.

The seductive quality of English JAKARTA (JP): Many English words are so seductive that after a brief stay here they are bastardized without shame. At the least they are arbitrarily forced to change their meanings or grammatical status. There is no doubt that English words have entered the Indonesian vocabulary to fill the local vacuum. In the march of time, they have even become status symbols.

Meager wages key to 'envelope culture' In conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the Indonesian Journalists Association and National Press Day, which falls on Feb. 9, The Jakarta Post ponders the "envelope culture" in the following article. More stories on Page 2 and Page 9. JAKARTA (JP): An embarrassed young journalist hopped out of a taxi. She would never forget her short conversation with the taxi driver. "So, you are a journalist?" the driver queried.

Wayan Limbak, a living 'Kecak' dance legend By Intan Petersen UBUD, Bali (JP): In 1933 there was a cholera outbreak in Wayan Limbak's village of Bedulu. It reoccurred every year, but this time there were more victims than usual. Amidst the sorrow in Bedulu, Ubud, a handsome foreigner, always in shorts and always riding a bicycle, would watch the people pray in the temple.