'The Burning Moon' focuses on workers By Helly Minarti JAKARTA (JP): Four female workers dressed in black wearing clownish masks stood on an open air stage in a wide lot owned by Ray Sahetapi, a film actor who now concentrates on his theater group, Studio Oncor. The girls stood elegantly and sang a touching, slow dangdut song, Selamat Malam (Good Night), a hit from popular singer Evie Tamala.

Tollway tragedy claims 31 lives By K. Basrie BOGOR, West Java (JP): Thirty-one people were killed and dozens others injured when a speeding bus turned into an inferno after smashing into three cars at the Jagorawi turnpike, some 40 kilometers south of Jakarta yesterday morning. The bus was heading for Bandung from Jakarta. Twenty-nine of the 31 victims, who were passengers of the air- conditioned Kramatdjati bus, were burned beyond recognition.

Govt responsible for overpass collapse: Lawyers JAKARTA (JP): As the owner of the overpass project in West Jakarta, the government has ultimate responsibility for Friday's accident, lawyers said yesterday. "The Ministry of Public Works is responsible for the final selection of the contractor and the general supervision of the project," Luhut M.P. Pangaribuan, director of the Jakarta branch of the Indonesian Legal Aid Institute (LBH) said yesterday.

First RI haj flights leave for Jeddah JAKARTA (JP): Seven planes, each carrying 480 passengers, left for Jeddah from Halim Perdanakusumah airport yesterday, marking the start of the massive operation to send some 194,000 Indonesians on this year's haj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. Unlike last year, there was no formal ceremony to send off the first flight from Jakarta, which took place 20 minutes earlier than the scheduled 8 a.m.

Overpasses and cheap cars From Bisnis Indonesia We have yet to see the national cars to be produced by Tommy Soeharto's company, and yet Liem Sioe Liong's Suzuki, through Subronto Laras, shocked us with the announcement that it would be producing low-cost cars at Rp 20 million (US$8,888). There's no denying that it is good news for average people who may now have the opportunity to buy cars.

Breathtaking moments in the wetlands of Amampare TIMIKA, Irian Jaya (JP): Dolphins broke the misty silence of the swamp. First, one solitary fin sliced through the river's glassy surface, then another, and within five minutes a small group decided it might be fun just to hang out and look cool. Wait a minute, what was going on? Early morning in the maze of waterways near Amampare, and we are on a swamp tour.

Tourists 'shoot' rhinos at Ujung Kulon park By Jim Della-Giacoma UJUNG KULON, Indonesia (Reuter): At the turn of century Europeans came to this isolated peninsula on the tip Java to hunt the endangered Javan rhinoceros. These days an increasing number of tourists visit the Ujung Kulon National Park hoping to shoot the shy beast, not with guns but cameras.

Guess What? It is only natural for people to be curious about how someone who is over 50 years old is still able to maintain a high work rate, good health and clean spirit. The secret is honey. Maybe it is hard to believe, but it's true because the revelation came from Minister of Information Harmoko, who celebrated his 57th birthday in February.

Exploring the untouched rain forests of Irian Jaya By Andy Barski TIMIKA, Irian Jaya (JP): We were exploring the "Land of The Giants". Privileged guests in another world, our senses were tested at every turn. From viscous jungle-gangs of red "rebel" ants to majestic hornbills, whose quick-flip-wings create such a sudden downdraft, that its other worldly sound sent electric shivers through us. (You know, like those old science fiction movies where a beam comes down from above.

TV today TVRI 7:00 a.m. Morning News 7:30 Healthy and Fit 7:40 TV Series: Speed Ketteers 8:05 TV Drama 8:35 Children's Stories 9:00 People and Events 9:30 Comedy: Ria Jenaka 9:45 Music: Album Minggu Ini 10:45 Youth Program: Temu Remaja 11:15 Cooking: Masakan Indonesia 11:45 Sports: Dari Gelanggang ke Gelanggang 12:45 p.m Music: Pop Seleksi 1:30 TV Series: Swans Crossing 2:35 TV Series: Starvangers 3:05 Music: Musik Mancagita 4:05 TV Series: Big Valley 5:00 Regional News 5:30 Music: Vokal Group...

Peter to take on Dickson for Astra tennis title JAKARTA (JP): Success and failure colored Indonesia's hopefuls in the semifinals of the Indonesia Astra International Junior Championships at the Jakarta Hilton Tennis complex yesterday. Boys' singles home favorite Peter Handoyo, ITF junior ranked 272, cruised into today's final after defeating Briton Daniel Belcher 6-1, 4-6, 6-2 in a rain-delayed match.

Eka Buana rite meant to harmonize the universe By T. Sima Gunawan SANUR, Bali (JP): A Hindu high priest rang a bell and read out a mantra. He was moving his hands up and down rhythmically, sprinkling holy water around and scattering petals into the air. For a moment, there was silence. Suddenly the gong started up again and the gamelan music started. Several women came over to the priest for some holy water and flowers.

The Dieng children I appreciate very much Ms. Helen Tainsh's effort to revel something unique and interesting of the Indonesian culture in her article The Vagabond Children of the Dieng Plateau (The Jakarta Post, March 10, 1996). However, I think the author (whom I presume to be a foreign tourist or an expatriate) erroneously translates the word gembel (both the "e"s are pronounced like the "e"s in English word "pen"), into "vagabond".

What TV commercials teach us JAKARTA (JP): If you want to practice medicine in this era of modernization and globalization (I hope you haven't got tired of these words), you don't have go to a university and risk your life in a student orientation program. Neither do you have to spend years in medical school slaughtering frogs and other innocent creatures for so-called training. No. All you need to do is win the position as the neighborhood chief (Ketua RT).

Parakitri's 'Menjadi Indonesia' simplifies history Menjadi Indonesia By Parakitri T. Simbolon Published by Kompas, 1995 803 pages, hardcover Rp 45,000 JAKARTA (JP): At last there is a comprehensive Indonesian history book in the Indonesian language. The book, Menjadi Indonesia (Becoming Indonesia), which covers he prehistoric era until before the Japanese invaded in 1942, came out in December last year, when Indonesians are still celebrating the country's golden anniversary.