Reclusive Baduy cope with tourism and materialism By Dini S. Djalal JAKARTA (JP): The river straddling the picturesque village of Gajeboh, one of the many highland communities of the reclusive Baduy people of West Java, shimmers translucently in the gentle morning glow. A handful of boys scurry across the bamboo bridge carrying sacks of palm sugar. A group of women pound padi (unmilled rice) underneath the thatched roofs of their rattan huts.

Fires gut buildings but no casualties reported JAKARTA (JP): Fires ravaged buildings in North, West and South Jakarta yesterday but there were no casualties. The biggest fire destroyed a shoe factory in Penjaringan, North Jakarta, before people had their predawn meal. A Penjaringan police subprecinct source said the fire at PT Tri Tunggal Prince Mandiri's shoe factory on Jl. Kapuk Muara, North Jakarta, started at 2:30 a.m.

'Outdoor cafe' offers more than food and beverages By T. Sima Gunawan JAKARTA (JP): You can eat, drink, write a letter or read a book in any cafe. But how about having your hair cut, renting a laser disc, buying a cactus or checking your e-mail? The idea may sound strange, but it is a reality. From the outside, it looks like any other cafe, but a keen observer might notice that even the name sounds unusual. Located on Jl.

Education as a commodity for the masses By Thong Lay Kim The extraordinary growth of higher education in Malaysia will propel the country's industrialization plane. SINGAPORE: Since the late 1980s, Malaysia has embarked on an intensive industrialization program in pursuit of its aspiration to become a developed industrialized nation by the year 2020. The economy has recorded a national growth rate of more than 8 percent per annum for the past seven years.

Slimming centers lure female clients In the old days, being fat was a symbol of wealth and success. But now the pursuit to throw off unwanted fat is felt to be essential for self esteem, not merely for better health. Women and men are visiting nutritionists, slimming centers, fitness clubs and purchasing slimming products. The Jakarta Post reporters, Kosasih Daradjat, Imanuddin, Riyadi, Primastuti Handayani and IGGP Bayu Ismoyo interviewed some experts and patients.

Mt. Merapi eruption eases, high alert continues SEMARANG (JP): Mt. Merapi's volcanic activities eased yesterday but a maximum level alert remained in force. Reports said 5,000 refugees from four villages have gradually returned home in the Kemalang district, Klaten regency, but thousands remained in evacuation centers. Authorities were working to persuade residents in the greatest risk areas to seek shelter in evacuation centers.

Leane Manurung: Being slim needs discipline By Primastuti Handayani JAKARTA (JP): Leane Manurung was the country's best archer from 1971 to 1983. Now a dedicated nutritionist, she chairs the nutrition department of the School of Medicine at the University of Indonesia. Born on Feb. 4, 1948, she was more popularly known as Leane Suniar, who finished ninth at the 1979 Olympics in Montreal.

Ramadhan time for Jakarta Sunday Maghrib 6:18 p.m. Monday Imsak 4:20 a.m. Subuh 4:30 a.m.

Pickpockets on buses From Neraca I would like to remind Jakarta bus passengers to exercise caution during the fasting month. Passengers at this time are very vulnerable to having valuable possessions stolen by pickpockets. Today's pickpockets are deceiving and always dress neat, never appearing to look like petty criminals. However, it is a fact that many pickpockets ply the city bus routes. To prevent becoming a victim of pickpockets, it is necessary to pay attention to the following measures.

Guess What? Neno Warisman Artist Neno Warisman gave birth to her third child last Friday. She delivered a daughter, weighing 3.75 kilograms and measuring 52 centimeters, at Asih Hospital in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta. She almost lost her life after the Caesarean birth, her third, which caused massive bleeding. She was then rushed to Pertamina Hospital's intensive care unit, where she stayed for five days. "It was the thought of my children which gave me strength," she said.

TV today TVRI 6:00 a.m. Religious Teachings: Hikmah Pagi 6:25 Morning news 6:45 Healthy and Fit 7:00 News 7:30 TV Series: Mighty Orbots 8:00 Talk Show: Disekitar Kita 8:30 Cooking Program: Masakan Indonesia 9:00 English News Service 9:30 People and Events 10:00 Music: Album Minggu Ini 11:00 Children's Story: Cerita Untuk Anak 11:30 Comedy: Ria Jenaka 11:45 Sports: Dari Gelanggang Ke Gelanggang 12:45 p.m Women's Program: Tata Busana 1:15 News 1:30 Teenagers' Program: Temu Remaja 2:00 Music:...

Women try various methods to lose weight JAKARTA (JP): In an effort to attract the opposite sex and to be as slim as friends, people have tried all sorts of ways to lose weight. Some have turned out slim and happy, while others were less fortunate. Sugiarti, 25, a resident of Cirebon, West Java, entered a slimming program at a clinic in her hometown two years ago, when she was single. She was 55 kilograms and 152 centimeters high.

Natural slimming methods believed to be less risky JAKARTA (JP): Do you want to look thin in a short time? Then come and try our new and modern slimming methods. This is the promise largely advertised by slimming centers in their aggressive newspaper and magazine ad campaigns. Naturally, the ads have convinced many people who feel inferior about their looks to at least consider trying out the offers.

Indonesian maid abused SINGAPORE (DPA): A Singapore grandmother has been fined and sentenced to five months in jail for slapping and splashing hot water on her Indonesian maid, news reports said yesterday. Margaret Wong, 61, reportedly burned the 21-year-old woman's chest and thigh by throwing a cup of hot water on her after waking her at 3 a.m. to feed Wong's cats in December 1995.

Mia Audina stops Ye's defense at Japan Open TOKYO (AFP): Women's singles favorite Mia Audina of Indonesia ended Chinese world champion Ye Zhaoying's hopes of defending her Japan Open title in the semi-finals of the US$170,000 tournament yesterday. As the finalists sorted themselves out, unseeded Peter Rasmussen of Denmark ended the comeback run by three-time Japan Open champion Ardi Wiranata of Indonesia to set up a showdown with Park Sung-Woo of South Korea in the men's singles.

Recipe for becoming slim JAKARTA (JP): Leane Manurung, head of the nutrition department of the School of Medicine, University of Indonesia, gives this following suggestions for those who want to change their eating behavior. 09.00 a.m. - Soybean cake or tofu 12.00 - Main menu (carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins and protein) 100 grams of rice and avoid beef, lamb or pork. 03.00 p.m. - Fruits (apples, oranges, pears, papaya, watermelon, mangoes) 06.00 p.m.

Nadya acknowledges her homeland By K. Basrie JAKARTA (JP): There are many television video jockeys (VJs) on the air at the moment, but Nadya Hutagalung of MTV Asia has a special "status" in the eyes of viewers in Indonesia. There are mqny possible reasons for this. It might be due to her tantalizing appearance, or just her Batak family name, Hutagalung. It might also be due to her being the only Indonesian video jockey at the Hong Kong-based music channel, which is broadcasted throughout Asia.

Guess What? Arief Budiman "My life philosophy is what people call panta rei: flowing smoothly like water down a river. I am not striving for something special in my life; I just do what I can do as long as I am able," said Arief Budiman in his farewell comments in a gathering in Hotel Paragon in Jakarta, Wednesday.

Three local motor racers to train in Spain JAKARTA (JP): Three Indonesian road-race motorcyclists left the country yesterday to participate in a two-week training course at the Kenny Roberts Training Ranch in Barcelona, Spain, a spokesman said. The three racers are Petrus Canisius, Ade Taruna and Roy Adianto. They will train until Jan. 31 under the sponsorship of Marlboro.