More attention to local sports clubs needed Born on the banks of the Kali Malang river in East Jakarta in November 1928, Mangombar Ferdinand Siregar is a veteran swimming trainer and leading sports figure. Siregar, who used to swim together with his friends in the man-made river, has trained several respected swimmers like Kristiono Sumono, Lukman Niode and Gerald P. Item, who dominated the swimming pools in the 1977 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

Cholera hits Manila MANILA (Reuter): A cholera outbreak has killed two people in Manila and 150 people, mostly children, have come down with the disease, Philippine health officials said yesterday. The Department of Health said a four-year-old girl and a boy of the same age died earlier this week, and that 150 people had been treated in hospital from Sept. 1 to 6 for accute diarrhea and abdominal pains.

Rich wedding traditions in Asia in danger of dying out By Parvathi Nayar Narayan JAKARTA (JP): In the era of globalization, it is becoming increasingly more important to preserve a country's traditional practices while making them more accessible to the modern- oriented generation. Some of the most important traditions are those related to the beautiful bridal ceremonies, which are in danger of dying out in the culturally diverse and rich Asian region.

Ragunan school trains RI's best as athletes JAKARTA (JP): The joy greeting gold badminton medalists Rexy Mainaky and Ricky Subagja who beat the Malaysians in Atlanta was marred by disappointment that the women's single team only managed to bring home a silver. Emotions run high in badminton because it is the only hope for medals in international events, while other sports are left far behind. At the center of criticism of this chronic problem is the training system.

Jackets for reporters JAKARTA (JP): The Association of Indonesian Journalists (PWI) plans to distribute jackets or vests to reporters to help the public and security forces distinguish them in a crowd. PWI Chairman Sofyan Lubis was quoted by Antara as saying that this was necessary after an incident in July when a journalist was beaten by security forces who mistook him for a rioter.

Breakaway Khmer Rouge recognize government PHNOM PENH (Reuter): Breakaway Khmer Rouge guerrillas loyal to Ieng Sary recognize the authority of the Cambodian government and the ideals of a single state, territory and administration, co- Premier Hun Sen said yesterday. The second prime minister, speaking at the opening of a women's training center, said the guerrillas who have broken away from hardliners led by Pol Pot had also recognized a 1994 law that banned the Maoist Khmer Rouge movement.

Stability and reform must be balanced Hoang Ngoc Nguyen analyses the political leadership profile arising out of Vietnam's Eighth Party Congress.

KL chides S'pore over merger issue KUALA LUMPUR (Reuter); Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has accused Singapore of insincerity in suggesting the republic may be forced to re-merge with Malaysia if Singaporeans lose their competitive edge, local newspapers said on Saturday. He said after a regular supreme council meeting of the United Malays National Organization (UMNO) on Friday that the statements by Singapore leaders on the merger issue had offended his party.

Indonesia's Davis Cup team From Media Indonesia The Davis Cup tennis match between Indonesia and Taiwan, the host, is drawing near. The skills of our players are soon to be tested at the PON XIV sports week, on courts which meet the requirements set for the Davis Cup tournament. It appears that our Davis Cup team this time will meet our expectations -- it is the best team we have had so far and it seems more solid than previous teams.

Road crash kills three BEKASI, West Java (JP): Three died and eight were injured when a Toyota Kijang van overturned on the Cikampek toll road yesterday morning. Police said the van carrying a family from Jatinegara, East Jakarta, was heading for Bandung. In the Cibitung area the driver, Yana Surani, prepared to overtake a truck. Yana, who survived the accident, said that after signaling and overtaking the truck, the van hit another vehicle in front of it.

Pictorialism, part of Indonesia's photographic history By Amir Sidharta JAKARTA (JP): Merely five years after its discovery by Daguerre in 1839, photography was introduced to Indonesia by Adolf Schaeffer, who was assigned to document archaeology in the Netherlands Indies. Since then, many photographers have worked in Indonesia. Among the most famous was perhaps the firm founded by W.B.

Drivers made milch cows From Merdeka For quite some time, truck drivers like us have been asked for money if we have to pass the weighing stations at Waraduwur and Weru in Cirebon district, West Java. If we refuse to give in to these demands, life is made difficult for us, like being fined for an overload of 10 kilograms. The same applies to vehicle testing where a fee of Rp 70,000 is demanded, more than ten times the official Rp 6,000 fee.

China operates on the basis of realpolitik By Robyn Lim Regional states should stick together in their interaction with China. China is at a critical point strategically, its focus having shifted from north to south. Hitherto a continental land power, China is beginning to develop a serious ocean-going navy. Its territorial claims in the South China Sea affect the security of all the ASEAN countries. No longer pinned down by the Soviet Union, China is a major beneficiary of the Cold War's end.

PON -- a time for talent scouting The National Games (PON) which opens in Jakarta tomorrow is more than just a contest for collecting the most gold between the 27 provinces taking part. The event provides an opportunity for Indonesia to select its best athletes to represent the nation in future international events.

Does Indonesian fashion have a foot in the grave By Dini S. Djalal JAKARTA (JP): Imagine yourself a newcomer to Jakarta looking to buy some Indonesian-designed fashions. You enter Plaza Indonesia or Plaza Senayan with great expectations of ethnic chic, but all you see are the same expensive boutiques you find in New York, London, or Paris. Finally, hidden in a vast department store, you find a few racks of clothes exclaiming "Made in Indonesia".

Benny Wijaya eligible for PON: Organizers JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Tennis Association has no reason to bar the country's former men's singles number one Benny Wijaya from the 14th National Games, the association's secretary-general Subianto said yesterday. Subianto was responding to protests lodged by 13 provinces which objected to Benny's participation in the Games due to his refusal to play in the Davis Cup world men's team tennis championship.

Lack of funds still a major problem for PON JAKARTA (JP): The 14th National Games (PON), a sports extravaganza for Indonesia's 27 provinces, will be officially opened here tomorrow. Yet daunting funding problems remain. The executive chairman of the organizers, R.S. Museno, revealed here last week that the organizing committee still faced a deficit of Rp 8 billion (US$3.4 million).

Guess What? For some men, a mustache is a symbol of masculinity. Others say they have one because they are too lazy to shave. Whatever the reason, a man who suddenly shaves his long-time thick mustache will look quite strange, sometimes even funny, to those who are familiar with his "original" look. This recently happened to Jakarta Metropolitan Police spokesman Lt. Col. Iman Haryatna, who shaved his thick mustache, his famous trademark, just a few days ago.