Profile of Indonesian haj Age 1995 % 1994 % Increase (%) -------------------------------------------------------- 1. < 50 104,606 53.22 85,796 54.12 21.92 2. 50-59 51,595 26.25 41,811 26.37 23.40 3. 60-69 31,883 16.22 24,590 15.51 29.66 4. > 70 8,464 4.31 6,336 4.00 33.59 Total 196,548 158,533 Source: Jurnal Haji Profile of Indonesian Haj Occupation 1995 % 1994 % Increase (%) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1.

Haj operation chaotic enough to merit military help By Wisnu Pramudya and Santi W.E. Soekanto JAKARTA (JP): When it comes to the troubles marring this year's haj operation, the buck should really stop at the Ministry of Religious Affairs. Gen. Feisal Tanjung, the amirul haj or leader of this year's haj delegation, made this clear last week when he inspected a number of haj dormitories and embarkation points, and found much still wanting.

Air Force keeps its women feminine By T. Sima Gunawan JAKARTA (JP): She wanted to become a stewardess, but ended up an Air Force policewoman. "I applied to Garuda Indonesia, but I failed. My aunt, who is in the Air Force, told me the force also has stewardesses and she suggested that I join the force," Ranny said. Ranny, a high school graduate who had never thought about being a member of the Armed Forces, sent an application and was accepted. "Maybe this is my destiny.

The price of civilization JAKARTA (JP): 'Living it up' is a slick phrase, conjuring up images of cruising in a pink Cadillac with Sylvester Stallone or Sharon Stone, bathing in champagne or ... stomping the night away to the rhythms in one of the pulsating pubs that speckle the map of Jakarta.

National Library From Kompas Some time ago, I went to the National Library at Jalan Salemba, Jakarta, to get some information on legal matters. It was my first visit to the library. I met an employee on the ground floor who explained that activities such as reading, and copy making, were only allowed for members. Entrance to non- members is permitted, provided they are armed with an authorization from office or school.

KL tightens rules on guns KUALA LUMPUR (Reuter): Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad yesterday announced a nationwide freeze on the issue of licenses to own firearms for an indefinite period. Mahathir, who is also the Home Minister, said the freeze order was issued after the recent arrest in Taiwan of a Sabah businessman for alleged arms smuggling, the national Bernama news agency reported.

Guess What? Few Filipinos may be aware that their president, Fidel V. Ramos, is extremely tolerant of Moslems. His knowledge was shown when he said, "Assalaamu'alaikum warrahmatullah wabarakatuh" (an Islamic greeting) at the beginning of his speech during the ground-breaking ceremony for the Metro Manila Skyway turnpike project in Manila last week. The project is being carried out by Indonesian state construction company PT Hutama Karya in cooperation with Philippine companies.

When brand-name handbag mania strikes Jakarta By Dini S. Djalal JAKARTA (JP): It's a wedding reception, and the guests are scrambling over the desserts. A woman reaching for an eclair sees the woman on her right and spots a superior object of desire. How smooth the black leather, how gleaming the gold chain, she thinks. Then she smiles and strokes the identical Chanel bag hanging on her shoulder, content that she too is part of the clique. She's not alone.

Indonesia inmates are most vulnerable to HIV/AIDS By Triagus S. Siswowihardjo JAKARTA (JP): Boxer Tommy Morrison enjoyed sudden worldwide media attention in the middle of February not because he just beat George Foreman and once felled Mike Tyson, or because he had signed a film contract. No, Tommy Morrison, the WBO heavy-weight champion of 1993, had just announced to the press that he was HIV positive. Tommy Morrison is the fourth well-known athlete to admit having the virus.

China to send most shuttlers to Atlanta JAKARTA (JP): China narrowly outnumbered Indonesia when the International Badminton Federation announced on Friday qualified players for the Atlanta Olympic Games. China will send 22 shuttlers who will play in all five divisions at the Georgia State University Gym, Atlanta, during the Summer Games next July. Indonesia tied with South Korea with 20 players each, followed by European powerhouses Denmark and England.

The globalized culture of kissing hits Indonesia By Myra Sidharta JAKARTA (JP): Globalization is forever changing traditions. I noticed this in my relations with an old lady, who I used to greet from a distance by putting my hands together. However, about two decades ago, she stepped towards me and gave me a big handshake. Another ten years later, the handshake too became too traditional for her and she gave me a big hug and kissed me fondly.

Freeport promises Irianese a bigger stake By T. Sima Gunawan JAKARTA (JP): PT Freeport Indonesia, the giant American copper and gold mining company, agreed yesterday to allocate one percent of its income to the local community in Irian Jaya and hire more indigenous people, an official said. The decision was made by the chairman of New Orleans-based Freeport McMoran Copper and Gold Inc.

National film dilemma From Media Indonesia I would like to join those who have expressed their concern about the Indonesian film industry. There is a lot of truth in the view that the film world has hit rock bottom in the past four years. In that period, very few quality films were made. Among the exceptions were several film entitled Badut-Badut Kota (City Clowns) by Ucik Supra, and Surat Untuk Bidadari (Letter To an Angel) by Garin Nugroho, a futile attempt to fill the void.

Chiang Mai, an unspoilt treasure trove By Lawrence Pintak CHIANG MAI, Thailand (JP): We were exhausted. Our six-month- old had just spent a week in a Singapore hospital recovering from dengue fever and we were completely drained. All we wanted to do was relax. So we went on an elephant trek in Northern Thailand.

Going on haj is a spiritual exercise, people claim JAKARTA (JP): The annual pilgrimage to the two holy cities of Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia is the world largest Moslem festival; with some 2.5 million people making the trip this year. Many Moslems believe that haj is a purification rite, one which should be started by clearing one's heart and mind from impure thoughts. Otherwise, it would be nothing but visiting packed cities and mosques under the scorching sun.

TV today TVRI 6:00 a.m. Religious Teachings: Hikmah Pagi 6:25 Morning Focus 6:45 Healthy and Fit 7:00 Morning News 7:30 TV Series: Grandizer 8:00 TV Drama 8:30 Information 9:00 English News Service 9:30 Focus: Pelaku dan Peristiwa 10:00 Music: Album Minggu Ini 11:00 Stories for Children 11:30 Comedy: Ria Jenaka 11:45 Sports: Dari Gelanggang Ke Gelanggang 1:15 p.m.

Southeast Asians celebrate traditional new year BANGKOK (Reuter): People throughout mainland southeast Asia began the traditional new year yesterday with visits to their temples but tragedy clouded festivities in a northeastern Thai city where six people died in a traffic crash.

Yayuk and Wild to clash in final JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's Yayuk Basuki and her American doubles team mate Linda Wild will have to put their friendship out of mind when they meet in the US$164,250 Danamon Indonesia Women's Open tennis championships final today. Both Yayuk and Wild survived draining semifinals yesterday, and later decided to forfeit their doubles semifinals after Yayuk complained of flu.

Protection of women workers GENEVA (AFP): The UN Commission on Human Rights asked for better protection of women migrant workers against violence as unemployment and poverty in South and South-East Asian countries lead an increasing number of women to seek employment abroad. A resolution of the 53-state commission adopted by consensus this week calls on countries to adopt and implement legislation emphasizing the prevention of violence against women and the prosecution of offenders.

Rites of haj, a brush with death You wanted a look At Death before you faced it? Now you have seen it with your eyes (and you flinch) -- Al Qur'an 3:143 JAKARTA (JP): Some of the rites of the annual haj pilgrimage are dress rehearsals for Judgment Day, and Allah beckons believers to flock to this rehearsal.

Who has authority over holy sites? By Santi W.E. Soekanto and Wisnu Pramudya JAKARTA (JP): Khadimul haramain, the custodian of the two Islamic holy sites of Masjidil Haram, the Great Mosque in Mecca which houses the holy Kaaba; and Masjid Nabawi, the Prophet's Mosque in Medina. For decades, this role of custodian has belong to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the "cradle of Islam", alone. "Allah has singled us out to take care of the two holy cities.

Better to die than not go on haj pilgrimage JAKARTA (JP): Sandiwi slit his throat and bled to death when he found out that he might fail to reach the Holy Land again this year because he lacked the necessary documents. The 35-year-old, illiterate villager from Sampang, Madura Island in East Java, was first dropped from the haj pilgrimage registry last year.

Guess What? Who says the Armed Forces cannot accept layman's ideas about democratization? The Armed Forces' Chief of Sociopolitical Affairs, Lt. Gen. Syarwan Haamid, believes that differences on the matter can be bridged. "Civilians and the Armed Forces might have different opinions on the definition of democracy and its implementation in Indonesia.

Trekking trough Nepal for peek at Mount Everest Three Indonesian journalists, Rudi Badil from the Kompas daily, Don Hasman from the Suara Pembaruan afternoon daily, and Hery Suyono from Intisari magazine, along with businessman Edison, trekked in Nepal between Feb. 27 and March 11 this year.