Japan riddle haunts Asia-Pacific By S. P. SETH SYDNEY (JP): According to reports, Japan's economy has turned the corner. For the year ending March 1996, its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is estimated to have risen by about 2.5 percent: the best results since 1991. Indeed, its 3 percent economic growth in the last quarter (January-March) of the financial year would point to a much higher annual economic growth, if sustained. But financial analysts are not betting on it.

'Mahaputera' awards conferred on 43 people JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto conferred Mahaputera awards on 43 people yesterday for their contributions to Indonesia's development. Most were cabinet ministers, senior officials and former officials. Three of the 27 recipients of the highest Mahaputera Adipradana awards were women: The wife of the vice president, Mrs. Try Sutrisno; Minister of Social Services Endang Kusuma Inten Suweno; and State Minister of Women's Roles Mien Sugandhi.

Garbage kings Indonesia is indebted to mother nature for bestowing her magnanimity on this island country for having in possession some of the world's number one features like the longest coastline, active volcanoes, varied culture and green forests. However, these priceless belongings are being depleted at a swashbuckling pace by the world's inmates.

'Water supply won't hurt PAM Jaya privatization' JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Public Works Radinal Moochtar says that the supply of raw water will not affect the privatization plans of city-owned water company PAM Jaya. Raw water is the technical term for pre-processed river water. "I can assure you that the raw water supply will be enough," he told reporters on Wednesday after meeting with Governor Surjadi Soedirdja about PAM Jaya, which is scheduled to be privatized by the end of the year.

Execute sodomizer, says Lopa UJUNGPANDANG (JP): Secretary-General of the National Commission on Human Rights Baharuddin Lopa expressed his opinion that Siswanto, the alleged sodomizer and murderer of 10 boys, deserves the death penalty. "I personally agree because the suspect is very sadistic. I believe it is the first case of sodomy and murder in the country," Lopa said when speaking at a seminar on children's rights at Hotel Kenari here yesterday.

Zarima's easy escape The case of Zarima, a television actress suspected of trafficking the drug Ecstasy, has left many people wondering. The police succeeded last Thursday in seizing Zarima and 29,667 Ecstasy pills, only to see her escape with ease the following day. From the very beginning several things were odd, including the fact that Zarima was arrested by Tangerang police at her home, which is outside of their jurisdiction.

Suspected rebels torch two buses PAMPANGA, Philippines (DPA): Suspected communist rebels burned two passenger buses in the northern Philippines reportedly to protest a recent increase in oil prices, police said yesterday. Chief Superintendent Edgar Aglipay, regional police director, said suspected New People's Army rebels burned the buses on Wednesday inside the Alladin Bus Company compound in San Fernando town, 45 kilometers north of Manila.

Journalist attacked YOGYAKARTA: A journalists from the Yogyakarta-based Bernas newspaper was attacked in his home on Tuesday midnight in what many suspect to be related to articles he had written. Safruddin, 34, who covers events in the Bantul regency is currently undergoing treatment in the intensive care unit of the Bethesda hospital in Yogyakarta.

Tarub installed as ABRI chief of general affairs JAKARTA (JP): Lt. Gen. Soeyono relinquished his strategic post as chief of Armed Forces General Affairs yesterday to his slightly older successor, Lt. Gen. Tarub, former chief of the Army's Strategic Reserve Command. Both graduated from the National Military Academy at the same time in 1965. Soeyono was born on March 13, 1943, while Tarub was born June 10, 1942.