Jakarta strengthens its grip on PON JAKARTA (JP): Midway into the 14th National Games, host Jakarta issued a true warning yesterday that no provinces are likely to dethrone it.Jakartan troops won most battles, ending the day with a haul of 70 golds, 41 silvers and 41 bronzes to leave its closest...

Simple shapes, but luxury fabrics: Biyan goes minimalistBy Dini S. Djalal JAKARTA (JP): It's 1996 -- do you know where your jewelry is?Fashion's neophytes may grin while twiddling their gold baubles, but style zealots hide their glittering trinkets in Louis Vuitton trunks.

Bonuses for athletesFrom NeracaThe urge to reward high achievers, particularly those enhancing the image of the nation in international fora, is understandable. But now donors are overdoing it. There is an impression that they are competing to give the biggest bonus.

Rusli's essential elements are not for saleBy Amir Sidharta JAKARTA (JP): A modest exhibition at Taman Ismail Marzuki's Cipta II Gallery presents 27 small and four medium-sized watercolors and two oil on canvas paintings by Rusli, an Indonesian painter who may not be very famous, yet whose works...

Monas by nightFrom Pos KotaThe National Monument (Monas) functions as a recreation site. It has experienced a change, especially so in the evenings.From 9 p.m., right through the night, its condition and all the roads around Monas are quite removed from the idea of a recreation park.

People grumble about high medicine prices JAKARTA (JP): The following are some people's thoughts on medicine prices. Ahmad Fuad Afdhal, a former executive of the widely diversified Bimantara Group and now a successful businessman: The main reason why medicine is very expensive is high promotion...

TV todayTVRI 6:00 a.m. Religious Teachings: Hikmah Pagi 6:25 News 6:45 Healthy and Fit 7:00 News 7:30 TV Series: Grandizer 8:00 TV Drama 9:00 English News Service 9:30 People and Events 10:00 Music: Album Minggu Ini 11:00 Children's Stories 11:30 Comedy: Ria Jenaka 11:45 Sports: Dari Gelanggang Ke...

Large-scale offensive begins in mock war over the NatunasBy Ridwan M. Sijabat RANAI, Natuna Island (JP): Indonesian jets fired rockets from the air while warships a few miles from the shore launched missiles to provide cover for yesterday's massive landing of several battalions of troopers on this...

Nabunome wins second gold for his province JAKARTA (JP): Eduardus Nabunome of East Nusa Tenggara was clearly on the decline when he entered the 14th National Games (PON), but he can leave the sporting meet with a smile.

Public phonesFrom NeracaI would like to appeal to Telkom to regularly service their public telephones. Most of them are out of order.At the Wisma Asri housing complex in North Bekasi, a great number of public telephones, coin or card operated, have been installed but only at three locations are the...

Roadside drug stalls offer affordable, cheap medicines JAKARTA (JP): If you believe drugs are just too expensive and your doctors are quacks anyway, go to Jakarta's "drug markets". The prices may amaze you.

Collusion practices inflate medicine pricesBy K. Basrie JAKARTA (JP): Although he no longer chairs the influential Indonesian Medical Association, Kartono Mohamad remains authoritative in medical affairs.He is now chief editor of Medika health magazine.

Soeharto warns of revolution to replace state ideology JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto appealed yesterday to the nation for vigilance, saying that some people are trying to replace the state ideology Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution through a revolution.

'Jamu' carries the stigma of being unscientificBy Gedsiri Suhartono JAKARTA (JP): Alternative medicine has been around for ages, and long after the introduction of western medicine and professionally trained doctors, it remains popular.

Medicine prices tell a horror story Medicine prices continue to increase each year in Indonesia as producers enjoy an "overdose" of profits. Government officials and doctors benefit from this situation.

Bogus medicines targeted at low-income consumersBy Arif Suryobuwono JAKARTA (JP): Bogus pharmaceuticals are there for those who cannot afford to buy the expensive real ones. The stuff is also there because there the low-budget consumer's problem is an opportunity to make money.

Malaysia sticks to development planning Zainal Aznam Yusof outlines some of the trends in the Malaysian economy, and its prospects in the years ahead. With all the razzmatazz over liberalization, the fetish of market forces and the laying out of the red carpet for the private sector to sustain...

Uphill challenges facing megacity management Megacity Management in the Asian and Pacific Region Edited by Jeffry R. Stubbs and Giles Clarke Published by The Asian Development Bank Manila, 1996 Volume one (541 pages) Volume two (398 pages) JAKARTA (JP): The population of the Greater Jakarta Area...

Host Jakarta, C. Java secure tennis golds JAKARTA (JP): Host Jakarta assured itself of the men's singles gold medal in the 14th National Games (PON) tennis competition yesterday when its two aces set up an all-Jakartan final.