Soeharto's health to hang over financial markets SINGAPORE (Reuter): Concerns over the health of Indonesian President Soeharto will hang over regional stock and currency markets next week, a senior analyst said yesterday. News that Soeharto, 75, will leave for Europe today for a medical checkup shook Indonesian markets on Thursday and Friday despite an official denial that Soeharto was ill. The Indonesian leader has given no indication of a preferred successor. "They're worried about his health.

Bvlgari products are now available in Indonesia By Thalia Kamarga JAKARTA (JP): Luxurious, original and classic: that's the image created by Bvlgari, an exclusive brand of jewelry, watches and perfumes from Italy. Bvlgari launched its 1996 collection here last month. Known for its classic designs, Bvlgari cannot really be considered a fashion house. Instead of following trends, the new collections were created by modifying its former designs. This strategy is reflected in the watch selection.

In praise of the entrepreneurs of Jakarta By Myra Sidharta JAKARTA (JP): No, no, this article is not about the high- living wheeler-dealers of Jakarta. Too much has been written about them already. I'm going to tell you about a lesser breed of entrepreneurs, those who make it from rags to riches, those who come to Jakarta from the provinces with only one dream: To become rich. And as there are many ways to become rich, these people try all kinds of things to reach this goal.

Indonesian paintings sell well at Glerum auction By Amir Sidharta SINGAPORE (JP): There were no million dollar transactions, but the Glerum auction of Indonesian and Indo-European pictures and antique books was quite a success, especially considering the limited promotion done in Indonesia. The auction last Sunday started with the sale of antique books, Chinese and Colonial furniture, and Chinese porcelain.

Sarwono's mother dies at 92 JAKARTA (JP): Mrs. Sulmini Surawisastra, the mother of State Minister of Environment Sarwono Kusumaatmadja, died of old age at Ongkomulyo Hospital here on Friday. She was 92. President Soeharto, Vice President Try Sutrisno and his wife Tuti Try Sutrisno, former vice president Sudharmono as well as a number of cabinet ministers paid their last respects to the deceased who was laid in state at Sarwono's house on Jalan Denpasar Raya, South Jakarta.

Soleh Solahuddin, the shuttling rector By Joko Suwarno BOGOR, West Java (JP): Prof. Soleh Solahuddin has to shuttle between Bogor and Kendari these days. Appointed rector of the Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB) in March, Soleh has been asked to stay on as rector of Haluuleo University in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, a post he has held since 1990. But Bogor is where his heart is. The state-run institute is not only his alma mater, it is also where he has spent most of his academic career.

Australians try to pull the wool over the tropics Text by Dini S. Djalal and photos by Samuel Sunarto JAKARTA (JP): "I don't care what people say. Wool is hot stuff," says Martina, an Australian living in Jakarta. Martina is talking about wearing traditionally winter fabrics in tropical temperatures. "I wouldn't wear wool in this country," Martina adds. "Unless I'm staying at the Hyatt all day," she laughs. American executive Tanya agrees that wool is simply not cool.

Indonesia contingent upbeat on medal winning chances JAKARTA (JP): An upbeat mood was all that filled the Grand Hyatt last Friday when Indonesian sportsmen and women gathered for the last time before departing for the Atlanta Olympic Games on Monday. Badminton queen Susi Susanti and her fiance Alan Budikusuma, the gold medal couple from the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, expressed a guarded optimism on a historic repeat.

Soeharto Soeharto's health to hang over financial markets Page 2 Sex Should you choose your child's sex? Page 6 Travel A glimpse of the cool, blue waters of Lake Toba Page 9 People Soleh Solahuddin, the shuttling rector Page 11 Entertainment From the magic of gamelan to the sounds of Latin America Page 13

Northwest seeks U.S. help WASHINGTON (AFP): U.S. authorities are weighing a request for retaliation against Japan filed by Northwest Airlines after Tokyo failed to approve its service to Indonesia from a Japanese airport, transportation officials said. A Transportation Department official said Northwest on Wednesday asked that Japan Airlines be stripped of its authorization to fly twice a week to Sao Paulo, Brazil via Los Angeles.

Security problems in Bekasi From Media Indonesia If we evaluate the recent crimes occurring in Bekasi (Media Indonesia, July 3, 1996), a serious picture of security problems in that region would unfold. Such a condition certainly does not set one's mind at peace and this does not apply to Bekasi citizens only, it affects the general public too. To Bekasi residents, the incidents are not just unsettling, they are unnerving.

Death according to Buddhist concepts By Alex Supartono JAKARTA (JP): What is death? Is it the end, or is it the gate through which we enter a new phase, a transformation? This question has been around as long as mankind, and is the most basic question in philosophy and religion. Death is the only thing that mankind cannot deny. Any analysis of life without taking death into account is nonsense. But in this age of advanced technology and communication, death is no longer discussed.

English course From Kompas In May, we scanned the ads in the paper for a suitable English course. After several inquiries, we chose the American Language Council (ALC). Roni Harlan of the institute presented us with the bill on the same day. We settled half the amount -- Rp 350,000 -- by check, leaving a balance of Rp 300,000. Roni Harlan came back in the afternoon, saying that the teacher, a native speaker, preferred to be paid in cash.

Northwest seeks U.S. help WASHINGTON (AFP): U.S. authorities are weighing a request for retaliation against Japan filed by Northwest Airlines after Tokyo failed to approve its service to Indonesia from a Japanese airport, transportation officials said. A Transportation Department official said Northwest on Wednesday asked that Japan Airlines be stripped of its authorization to fly twice a week to Sao Paulo, Brazil via Los Angeles.

Facing problems in hiring driver JAKARTA (JP): Noticing that I had been without a driver for a couple of weeks, Pak Hansip (the civilian security guard) of our RT (neighborhood) came to our house one morning with a young man he thought I could hire as a driver. I told them that I had decided not to hire a new driver for the time being. Pak Hansip pleaded with me and begged me to help this guy as he had been out of job since Lebaran. Aha! That rang warning bells!

Internet has a bright future, but cyberspace is still cramped By Lawrence Pintak JAKARTA (JP): It's' time for an Asian cyberspace reality check. "Log on to the future." "Getting the most from the Internet." "Commuting through your computer." It's tough to open a business publication these days and not get wound up about the World Wide Web. So why is it I can't actually get much business done electronically?

Sultan remembered YOGYAKARTA (JP): About 50 prominent national figures are expected to attend the eighth anniversary of the death of Yogyakarta's king and former vice president Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono IX today. Gusti Bendoro Pangeran Haryo Djojohadikusumo, son of the Sultan, said on Friday that around 1,000 people have been invited including former cabinet ministers Gen.

From the magic of gamelan to the sounds of Latin America By Franki Raden JAKARTA (JP): A very stimulating music event is in the offing -- an international percussion festival on July 10 and 11 at the Jakarta Fair Grounds in Central Jakarta.

Indonesia's national coach Andi Muhammad Teguh dies BANDUNG (JP): National soccer coach Andi Muhammad Teguh died here yesterday afternoon due to a heart attack. Andi was watching an Indonesian league match between MBR Bandung and PSDS Deli Serdang when he collapsed, just 10 minutes after the opening whistle. He was unconscious when fellow national coach Trie Gustoro admitted him to St. Borromeus hospital for emergency medical care.

RI to try out in perth prior to Asian C'ships JAKARTA (JP): The three-day soccer tour of Perth, Western Australia, which starts tomorrow is the Indonesian national team's last trial before the Asian championship finals in Dubai in December. Coach Danurwindo told The Jakarta Post on Friday that he would consider replacing some members of the existing squad, depending on the Australian results. His team, comprising mostly Italian-trained players, has had two trials since May.

Sweet memories of lake Toba and Samosir Island Text by Oka Budi Yogaswara and Lela E. Madjiah, photos by Oka Budi Yogaswara LAKE TOBA, North Sumatra (JP): I first caught a glimpse of Lake Toba's glistening blue waters when the car was still a few kilometers away from this most famous lake in North Sumatra. Catching my breath in awe, I watched as the lake grow bigger and bigger from behind a shade of tall green pine trees covering the hills surrounding it.

Health care enters business world MELBOURNE (JP): Health and hospital care a business commodity? Is nothing sacred? The joint conference of the Indonesian Cultural and Education Institute and Australia Indonesia Business Council, held from June 16 to June 18 in Melbourne, confirmed that indeed nothing is. Institutions seeking survival nowadays need to go commercial.