Bus blaze highlights lack of standards JAKARTA (JP): The girl holds back her tears. She understands that nothing can bring back her parents and little brother, not even heartfelt tears. Tanti's parents and brother were among the 31 people killed when a Bandung-bound Kramatdjati bus slammed into a stationary jeep last Saturday. "I'm heartbroken, but nothing will bring them back," Tanti, a high school student, sighed. Her father left for Bandung to attend a school reunion.

Bosses blamed for fire tragedy BANDUNG (JP): West Java Governor R. Nuriana says he will summon the management of the Ramayana Department Store over the fire safety system used in the building. "The management must take responsibility for the tragedy," he said here after receiving an official project list from Minister of Health Suyudi yesterday. He called on businessmen to pay more attention to workplace safety for their employees. "Human safety must come first," he said.

Embezzlement of IDT funds The government's good intentions to fight poverty under the Least Developed Village Program (IDT), as per a Presidential instruction, could vanish without a trace if no action is taken against certain individuals. Individuals who have succeeded in intercepting funds meant for implementation of the program's second stage in Ujungjaya, subdistrict Sumur, Pandeglang, West Java.

Family says horror bus driver a 'good guy' By Ahyani BANDUNG (JP): Looking into Salam's face is like looking into a pool of sorrow and confusion. All of a sudden he and his family have come under public scrutiny because his son-in-law, Agus Arifin, caused the deaths of 31 people. Many people, even complete strangers, have come to his simple abode since the tragic accident last Saturday.

Concerted efforts needed to reduce traffic accidents JAKARTA (JP): The bodies of the 31 people who were killed in last week's traffic accident on the Jagorawi toll road have been buried. That, however, does not mean the story has ended. The authorities are still probing the case, collecting evidence to decide who should be held responsible for the dreadful tragedy.

Travel agents take advantage of Bali's traditional dancers By T. Sima Gunawan SANUR, Bali (JP): The tourists clapped their hands when the dance ended. They were apparently impressed with what they had just watched, the fabulous Kecak dance, one of the most popular and unique of Bali's traditional dances. Tourists do not mind spending huge sums of money on a Kecak performance. A group of Japanese tourists paid their travel agent US$20 per person for the show in Batubulan.

Foreign players to lead Kobatama league JAKARTA (JP): Foreign players look certain to steal the limelight in the Kobatama basketball league which will kick off its new season next week. But not all the foreigners will be heroes. Defending champion Aspac has sent former Washington Bullets player Bobby Irvin back to the United States because the club found him lacking. "Bobby did not take his practices seriously," Aspac coach Irawan announced yesterday.

Equitable development vital for Jakarta By Rita A. Widiadana Otto Soemarwotto, a professor of biology, is widely respected as one of Indonesia's environmental advocates. He has spent most of his life promoting environmental issues in Indonesia and abroad. A futurist, his ideas are considered controversial by many people, government officials in particular. But this has never affected Otto's stance on things he believes in. "A scholar must reveal the truth," Otto insists.

Sutiyoso to be tougher against crime JAKARTA (JP): Newly appointed Jakarta Military Chief Maj. Gen. Sutiyoso said he would follow the path his predecessor Lt. Gen. Wiranto adopted in combating crime and maintaining order and security in the city and its surrounding areas. "I will continue my predecessor's policies and develop them further," he said at a press conference held shortly after his induction as the new Jakarta military chief yesterday.

Last year's road death toll 30 a day JAKARTA (JP): Every day last year more than 30 people died and 57 others were injured as a result of traffic accidents in Indonesia. The national police recorded that 11,019 people were killed, 9,941 seriously injured and 11,631 slightly injured in 16,516 serious traffic accidents during 1995. A serious accident is one in which at least one person is injured.

Is living on this planet safe? JAKARTA (JP): Asking my visiting aunt to eat in a restaurant is just like asking Mother Teresa to go to a rock concert. She won't budge. "Oh, no! That restaurant serves English beef that could carry Spongiform Encephalopathy," she reasoned when we asked her to eat at a prestigious steak house. "It causes Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease," she continued like a scientist.

Major traffic accidents JAKARTA (JP): June 1992: An inter-city bus overturned on the Jakarta-Cikampek toll road after it smashed into the safety fence at the side of the road. Seventeen people were killed and 42 others injured. The driver said he lost control of the vehicle because he was tired. September 1992: A trailer loaded with 24 tons of steel wires hit the median line of Jl. R.E.

No political motives behind Medan riot JAKARTA (JP): The military said yesterday that the riot at the Tanjung Gusta Prison in Medan Friday, in which six inmates were burnt alive, was not caused by any political or SARA (tribal affiliations, religion, race and societal groups) motives. "The authorities are still investigating the case, but please do not magnify the separatist issue," the Armed Forces' General Affairs chief Lt. Gen. Soeyono said yesterday after a ceremony in which Maj. Gen.

Bogor mayor stops Bogor fire search operation BOGOR, West Java (JP): Bogor Mayor Eddy Gunardi ordered the search for the victims of the Pasar Kebon Kembang market fire stopped yesterday and announced that only 10 people were killed. More than 70 people were reported to have been killed by the mass media. He said the remaining 66 plastic bags, out of the 76 believed to contain ashes of human bodies, which were sent to the Red Cross Hospital, contained other materials.

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 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 Tours and Travel 6:05...

Big question: To eat or not to eat By P.G. Punchihewa JAKARTA (JP): It is said that you are what you eat. According to recent research there is growing evidence that you are also what your mother ate. But there isn't much you can do about that now. The big question is what you can eat and what you cannot eat. Almost every day we are inundated with information on what we should eat and what we should not eat.

Indonesia from two different perspectives By Parvathi Nayar Narayan JAKARTA (JP): Two friends from the Indonesian Fine Arts Institute (ISI) Yogyakarta are exhibiting together at Koi Gallery Restaurant in South Jakarta. They are Lazlo Balogh from Hungary and Ida Bagus Kriyana from Bali. The overall theme of the exhibition is Indonesia, no doubt. The interesting angle is that it is Indonesia as seen from two very different perspectives, the Indonesian and the foreign eye.

Indonesia as kids see it JAKARTA (JP): Last month the Jakarta International School -- Pondok Indah Elementary -- celebrated Indonesia Week. They experienced batik artists, gamelan performers, a wayang kulit master complete with an evening performance, and a school-wide assembly on Friday. David Zehms, a third grade teacher, asked his students to write a letter to the editor of The Jakarta Post about something that they have enjoyed here in Indonesia as part of their homework assignments.

Guess What? Show respect to your seniors and you'll learn a lot of things. This is especially true of Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and Security Soesilo Soedarman, one of the senior ministers in the cabinet who frequently acts as advisor for younger ministers who are seeking for solutions on various national issues.

Indonesia sends wrestlers to China JAKARTA (JP): A 12-strong Indonesian team will leave for the 12th Asian Wrestling Championships slated for Apr. 4 to Apr. 10 in Xiaoshan, China, with a modest target of seeking experience. "It would be very difficult for national wrestlers to earn a gold medal because they will be taking on world-class opponents from China, Japan and Kazakhstan," said T.B. Silalahi, chairman of the Indonesian Wrestling Association's Advisory Board.

RP ship sinks, 11 missing MANILA (Reuter): Eleven crew are missing after a Philippine cargo ship sank in the southern Philippines, the coast guard said yesterday. Coast guard spokesman Feliciano Dy said the David Junior sank in rough seas off Surigao del Sur, 890 km (555 miles) south of Manila on Wednesday night. Nine crew members were rescued. The vessel, owned by Candano Shipping Lines Inc., was carrying cement. No other details were available.

Dancing is a ritual in the life of Balinese SANUR, Bali (JP): Wayan is no more than 10 years old, but she knows well how to make up her innocent face. Sitting before a sorry-looking mirror, she carefully applies the foundation, powder, eye shadow, rouge and red lipstick. Wayan is not alone. Two other girls and four teenagers are also busy with their make-up and costumes in a nine-square-meter room of the bale banjar (village meeting hall).

Abdul Muis-Cimahi minibus route From Pikiran Rakyat The Abdul Muis-Cimahi minibus route in the periphery of Bandung in West Java is a favorite place for robbers to operate, especially at night. On March 14 after 11 p.m. my mother, mother-in-law, sister and wife were held up by five robbers on a minibus plying that route. "Hands up, don't move!". Under threat of knives, my family had to surrender their jewelry, watches, a bag with a camera and some money, and even their umbrellas.

Indriyanto breaks transfer record JAKARTA (JP): The bizarre aftermath of an ambitious project sending national junior football players to Italy took its toll when Indriyanto Nugroho completed a cynical deal which cost his new club just Rp 100 (5 US cents) on Friday. It must be the cheapest transfer ever in the soccer world, but the Surakarta, Central Java-based club, Arseto, did ask the ridiculous price of giant club Pelita Jaya. "We don't want to pose a hurdle to Indriyanto's career.