Ramadhan time for Jakarta Sunday Maghrib 6:19 p.m. Monday Imsak 4:23 a.m. Subuh 4:33 a.m.

Music education now an industry in Jakarta JAKARTA (JP): In the 1950s and 1960s, music education was limited to private tuition and a few music schools. Yayasan Pendidikan Musik (YPM) or the Music Education Foundation, founded in 1952 by a group of Jakarta notables, is the country's oldest music institution. Today, under the leadership of its director, pianist Rudy Laban who has held the position since 1963, it has 1,400 students, 106 staff, a new branch in Bintaro, and is expanding.

Weather agency warns of major floods and storms JAKARTA (JP): The national weather agency warned yesterday of even bigger floods hitting Jakarta and other cities in Java in the coming weeks because of heavy rainfalls and tropical storms. The floods that hit parts of Jakarta on Jan. 13 and Jan. 14 were caused by rainfalls exceeding 100 millimeters, in some parts even reaching 250 mm, the Meteorology and Geophysics Agency said.

Menopause is inevitable, but life goes on By Rita A. Widiadana JAKARTA (JP): As a top executive, Lidya Budiman (not her real name) spends most of her days attending various business meetings. On the eve of her 46th birthday early this month, she attended a very important meeting with her company's board of directors. During the meeting she suddenly felt heat rush to her face and she broke out in a sweat.

Garuda determined to improve service By K. Basrie JAKARTA (JP): Today, state-owned air carrier PT Garuda Indonesia celebrates its 48th anniversary in the midst of endless public complaints, government hopes for better earnings and the airline's desire to go public. The airline's beginning was marked by the historical maiden commercial flight of the country's first airplane, Dakota RI-001 Seulawah, a DC-3, on Jan. 26, 1949, from Burma (now Myanmmar).

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 8:00 Women's Program: Tata Busana 8:30 Children's Story: Cerita Untuk Anak 9:00 English News Service 9:30 People and Events 10:00 Music: Album Minggu Ini 11:00 Comedy: Ria Jenaka 11:15 Sports: Dari Gelanggang Ke Gelanggang 12:45 p.m Cooking Program: Masakan Indonesia 1:30 Teenagers' Program: Temu Remaja 2:00 Music: Minggu Gembira 2:35 TV Series: Buck Rogers 3:00 News:...

Preserving nation's literary past Illuminations, The Writing Traditions of Indonesia; Edited by Ann Kumar and John H. McGlynn; The Lontar Foundation, Jakarta, 1996; 298 pages JAKARTA (JP): Here's an age-old question: If a tree falls in the forest, does anybody hear? The quiet vanishing of the world's natural resources shapes the battle-cry of environmentalists. But the sentiment pertains not only to the Green movement.

Clinic treats menopausal symptoms JAKARTA (JP): Here is a good news for middle aged women currently being trapped in serious menopausal miseries. A special clinic promises to give new hope for these women to help them enter their midlife transition smoothly. Called Menox clinic, a joint venture between an Indonesian company and the Austrian-based Menox, offers various hormonal (estrogen) replacement therapies, medical check-up, consultation, and other medical facilities.

Junior shuttlers to dominate RI Sudirman Cup team JAKARTA (JP): The Badminton Association of Indonesia indicated yesterday that it would send a number of junior shuttlers to the Sudirman Cup and World Championships, both in Glasgow, Scotland, in May. Sumaryono, the association's executive director, said that 60 percent of the 43 candidates for both the championships are juniors.

'Blangkon' has lost its relevance among Javanese By R. Fadjri YOGYAKARTA (JP): For the Javanese, blangkon -- the headdress worn by Javanese men -- is more than a hat to cover the head. It is an accessory that is supposed to add respectability to the wearer. This is why, unlike Westerners, Javanese men never take the headdress off upon entering a room. However, this sort of respectability is no longer relevant in Javanese society.

Begging offers better way of earning a living By Myra Sidharta JAKARTA (JP): An American friend once remarked on a visit to Indonesia: "You Indonesians must be good people. That's why there are so many beggars around. And not only that, they look well-fed and some are not even handicapped." I liked this remark very much, because it is true that we are a friendly people. Everywhere you look you see smiles and people are ready to help you.

Local judo body eying nine SEA Games golds JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Judo Association expects to win nine of the 16 gold medals on offer in the 19th SEA Games here in October. "In the last Games in Chiang Mai, Thailand, we won nine golds, four silvers and three bronzes instead of the seven targeted by the National Sports Council. We expect to repeat that performance here," said Putu Denok, the judo training director, in Ciloto, West Java, Friday.

Steps to abtain a driver's license JAKARTA (JP): Theoretically, applying for a driver's license in Indonesia, for locals and foreigners alike, should not be a complicated process. Not as complicated a process as most people actually go through. There are several reasons for the chronic problems within the licensing process, including the fact that applicants who hate following proper procedures prefer to use the services of brokers or corrupt officers to help process their licenses.

Well-balanced low-fat diet helps for a healthy menopause JAKARTA (JP): Women who go through menopause can reduce the risks of developing osteoporosis or heart disease by maintaining a well-balanced, moderately low-fat diet. Elaine Moquette, in her book Eat Well for a Healthy Menopause, recommends that women consider these following 10 guidelines, which are published in American Health. (1) Every day, eat at least one food rich in phytoestrogens compounds in plants that are similar to estrogen.

Training center aims for perfection By Lukman Natanegara JAKARTA (JP): Human resource development is one of the main concerns of the state-owned flag carrier Garuda Indonesia. Garuda proves it by continually modernizing its training facilities in Duri Kosambi, West Jakarta. Visitors are first impressed by the green setting of the eight-hectare center and once they see the array of aviation training equipment there, they might also feel as if they are flying.

Aerowisata makes flight more enjoyable with food By Christiani S.A. Tumelap JAKARTA (JP): Flying high in the sky is not only about getting to destinations quickly and safely, but also enjoying the meals served by the airlines. PT Aerowisata Catering Service, the sole supplier of meals to domestic and international airlines flying within, to and from Indonesia, has a story to tell about how they prepare the meals.

Garuda earns both praise and criticism JAKARTA (JP): Being the national flag carrier, it is only natural that Garuda faces huge challenges fulfilling the increasing demands of its passengers. While it is loved by many it is also loathed by some. The Jakarta Post talked to some Garuda customers, and ex- customers, about their experiences. Nadya Hutagalung, MTV disc jockey: "To me, all Garuda's crew are pretty good. The only problem is its often delayed flights. Wow ...

Acute snags in driver's license process needs reform By K. Basrie JAKARTA (JP): There's a joke among police-beat reporters about police cadets: Most parents of police cadets always pray for the same thing -- that their sons will be assigned to the driver's license service bureau. The joke might be untrue, but it is no longer a secret among police officers that working at the service bureau is a guaranteed way of getting wealthy.

Three more suspects killed for resisting police arrest JAKARTA (JP): Police shot dead three men, believed to be criminals, yesterday for resisting arrest in North Jakarta and South Jakarta, taking this month's death tally to at least nine. Sgt. Nusirwan of the Penjaringan Police subprecinct said police shot two brothers who tried to rob a woman on Jl. Muara Baru at 2:00 a.m. The two tried to escape after the woman screamed for help.

On reading habits I read with interest Ms. Refina Harahap's letter (Jan. 24, 1997) about poor reading habits. In 1995 a small foundation called Yayasan Kinatouan opened six village libraries and last year we opened another six in Minahasa, North Sulawesi. Hopefully, by 2000, thirty villages in Minahasa will have their own libraries in the effort to combat intellectual poverty. We bought about 900 titles and old magazines to be distributed in the first year.

Guess What? Alya Rohali A new TV star is about to be born. Alya Rohali, Miss Indonesia 1996 Vegas, will begin shooting her first TV series, Serpihan Mutiara Retak (Shards of Cracked Pearls) next month. She expressed her optimism last week that the drama, which will also involve artist Nia Zulkarnaen, would be successful. It originally appeared on the big screen 10 years ago, with Marissa Haque and Chintami Atmanagara as the main players.

Alarms necessary to prevent crime By T. Sima Gunawan JAKARTA (JP): Another Idul Fitri is coming. The city will again be a little more quiet for some time, as about a third of its 10 million residents are expected leave for their hometowns. And once again, the police are warning the public to be cautious about a possible increase in the crime rate. South Jakarta Police Chief, Lt. Col. Sisno Adiwinoto observes that the number of crimes tend to increase a few days before and after Idul Fitri.

Airlines tussle in services dogfight To celebrate the 48th anniversary of the country's flag carrier, Garuda Indonesia, which falls today, The Jakarta Post investigated airline service. The focus is on Garuda but other airlines are also covered. The stories are written by Johannes Simbolon, Lukman Natanegara, K. Basrie, Christiani S.A. Tumelap, A.

Telkom's customer service From Bisnis Indonesia On Jan. 13, 1997 our phone, no. 5540275, went dead instantaneously. It showed signs of life again in the afternoon, then relapsed. On Jan. 14, we filed a complaint with no. 5600117 and were told they would start work on it right away (however, no repairs were made). On January 16, our phone was still out of order. I could not understand what Telkom had been doing so far. I called 5600117 again to repeat my complaint.