Indonesians have innate sense of courtesyBy John Phillips JAKARTA (JP): In this age of political, cultural and linguistic correctness, it is becoming increasingly difficult to figure out what people mean when they say something because they are always saying one thing when they mean another, as I...

Ethnicity in the spotlight but designs fail to shineText by Dini S. Djalal, photos by Arief Hidayat JAKARTA (JP): At the Nuansa Kuning (Yellow Ambience) fashion show held last week by the Indonesian Textile Association, women in Balinese traditional dress walked down the runway carrying offerings...

Bandung wastes home advantage in Cup tie BANDUNG (JP): Mastrans Bandung Raya (MBR) wasted its home advantage when it scored a 1-1 draw in its Asia Winners Cup second leg match against Hong Kong Cup winner South China.

East Java to honor record breakers JAKARTA (JP): All athletes that broke records in the just- concluded 14th National Games will receive cash bonuses donated by East Javanese businessmen.East Java Governor Basofi Soedirman told reporters on leaving Jakarta for his province's capital Surabaya...

Marzuki Darusman: If I ran the rights body ...By Lela E. Madjiah JAKARTA (JP): He strikes one as careful but assertive, calm but passionate, intelligent but innocent, and a very attentive listener. But Marzuki Darusman, 50, does not make a perfect host.

Spicy Padang food a finger-licking feast BUKITTINGGI, West Sumatra (JP): Minang men have spread local culinary delights in their practice of merantau, (to travel far and wide seeking one's fortune), thus introducing Padang food to the world.

'Violet' set to hit Japan TOKYO (Reuter): Typhoon Violet, packing maximum winds of 144 kph (90 mph), was expected to hit central Japan today, the Meteorological Agency said yesterday.As of 4.30 p.m. (0730 GMT), Violet was located 1,150 km (719 miles) southwest of Tokyo, the agency said.

Testosterone-powered action fuels Bay's 'The Rock'By Parvathi Nayar Narayan JAKARTA (JP): The assorted mass of concrete and rock in San Francisco Bay still exerts a strange, compelling pull on people's imaginations.

Iran alerts its forces TEHRAN (AFP): Iranian President Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani called on his armed forces yesterday to prepare for possible "enemy" attacks on the anniversary of the start of the 1980-1988 war against neighboring Iraq.

ABRI announces more leadership changes JAKARTA (JP): The Armed Forces announced two more personnel changes in its leadership structure yesterday, in the posts of assistant to the chief of sociopolitical affairs and the commandant of the Infantry Weapons Center.

Christie's asked to return RI paintingsBy K. Basrie JAKARTA (JP): Art curators and relatives of two Indonesian masters who fear paintings allegedly stolen from the National Museum include two that have just been withdrawn by Christie's from its October auction in Singapore, want further action...

Preparations begin for next year's SE Asian Games JAKARTA (JP): As the 14th National Games (PON) came to an end on Friday, preparations for next year's 19th Southeast Asian Games began.Indonesia, smarting from its humiliation in Chiang Mai, Thailand, last year, has vowed to regain its overall title.

Indonesia keeps Davis Cup hopes alive in Davis Cup play-off JAKARTA (Agencies): The solid partnership of Bonit Wiryawan and Sulistyo Wibowo stormed to a convincing straight-sets win yesterday to keep Indonesian hopes alive in its Davis Cup Asia Oceania third-round play-off against Chinese Taipei.

China's men lead in chess Olympiad YEREVAN (DPA): China defeated Cuba 2.5-1.5 to retain its lead at the top of the men's team tournament at the chess Olympiad in Yerevan, Armenia, moving on to 13 points.Favorites Russia is half a point behind on 12.

West Sumatra's 'rumah gadang' a matrilineal symbolText and photos by Nicky Walsh BUKITTINGGI, West Sumatra (JP): As the sun rises over the rice paddies and slopes of the volcanoes, the mist slowly lifts and strange crescent shapes with soaring peaks begin to fill the sky.

Activists oppose controls on NGOsBy Prasetyohadi JAKARTA (JP): Several non-governmental organization (NGO) activists voiced their objections yesterday to a military proposal that foreign aid destined for NGOs, especially those with "problems", should be regulated.