Nationalism wins over beauty Teenage nationalism eventually triumphed over beauty at the Senayan swimming pool stadium Sunday, but it was a close run thing. The vast majority of young girls' eyes were fixed on the strapping Malaysian hunk Azlan Wan Abdullah, until he trashed Indonesia's hopes in the 4x200 meters men's freestyle relay. Malaysia , in third place until the last changeover, was carried to the silver by the handsome Azlan, who sprinted away from Indonesia's anchor Christian Johannes.

Black box can clarify mystery From Media Indonesia A series of disasters have taken place in Indonesia recently, particularly in the air transportation sector involving Garuda, Merpati and other airlines. Every time an aircraft catastrophe has occurred, we have never heard any clear and accurate explanation regarding the causes of the disaster. Also, more often than not, explanatory statements from the relevant institutions have been contradictory of each other.

Stock Exchange Stock prices on the Jakarta Stock Exchange (in rupiah) on Oct. 13, 1997: ---------------------------------------------------------- Shares Close Change Trading Volume ---------------------------------------------------------- Ades Alfindo 1,000 50 2,000 AHAP Insurance 2,500 0 0 Alter Abadi 850 0 0 Alumindo Light Metal 750 -25 36,500 Alumindo Perkasa 400 0 0 Aneka Kimia Raya 700 -25 70,500 Anwar Sierad 1,050 0 0 Apac Centertex Corp.

Matahari revises profit JAKARTA (JP): PT Matahari Putra Prima said yesterday that it had lowered its net profit target this year to Rp 52 billion (US$15.29 million) from Rp 92 billion due to the currency turmoil. Matahari finance director Antonius Hanifah Komala attributed the lower profit to the company's loss in foreign exchange transactions totaling about Rp 39 billion. "Our profit from operations will remain the same," Antonius said yesterday after the company's general shareholders meeting.

SE Asian woes more serious HONG KONG (AFP): Southeast Asia's economic problems are far more troubling for the rest of the world than the Mexican peso crisis of 1994-95, a leading U.S. academic said in a paper released here yesterday.

House to encourage its members to initiate laws JAKARTA (JP): The new House of Representatives (DPR) will be expected to play a more active role in making legislation, House Speaker Harmoko said yesterday. He said that he and other House leaders had agreed to encourage fellow legislators to initiate legislation. "Insya Allah, or God willing, we (House leaders) will encourage legislators to use their Initiative Rights," he said in a surprise visit to the House's Press Room.

Regional rubber looks for direction SINGAPORE (Reuter): Southeast Asia's rubber market is likely to be looking for direction this week, although the trade will keep a wary eye on the region's shaky financial markets, traders said yesterday. Most of the trade feel prices will be range-bound with a bearish tinge although Malaysian dealers feel they may move up due to fears supplies will be pinched by forest fires in Indonesia and a drought caused by the El Nino weather pattern.

VDHS in acquisition talks SINGAPORE (Reuter): Engineering and infrastructure services firm Van der Horst said yesterday it was in talks to buy stakes in companies with interests in telecommunications in Indonesia and in civil engineering and construction in Asia.

Thai strongwomen sets world record By Christiani S.A. Tumelap JAKARTA (JP): The first senior world record fell in the weight lifting hall yesterday as Thailand's Khassaraporn Suta lifted 125.0 kgs in the clean and jerk of the women's 59 kg category. Three SEA Games records were also broken. It capped a mediocre day for Indonesia, with its women lifters being beaten by Myanmar and Thai lifters and its men only managing to steal one gold.

Debutant breaks down after striking gold By Budiman Moerdijat JAKARTA (JP): An Indonesian banking student making her SEA Games debut and with no medal ambitions broke down and sobbed uncontollably when she won her gold-medal match in the taekwondo finweight division yesterday. Juana Wangsa Putri, from Jakarta, could hardly believe it when the referee awarded her the ninth and diciding point to give her a 5-4 victory over Myanmar's Khin Swe Oo at the Bulungan Sports Hall, South Jakarta.

Suriname's leader arrives for talks JAKARTA (JP): Suriname's President Jules Albert Wijdenbosch and his entourage will arrive here this morning for a four-day state visit to strengthen bilateral talks between the two countries. The visit is in exchange for President Soeharto's trip to the country in October 1995. His entourage includes his wife Patricia D'Leon Wijdenbosch, minister of foreign affairs, minister of mines and energy and minister of agriculture and fishery.

Fruitfest promotes local fare CILEUNGSI, Bogor (JP): PT Mekar Unggul Sari, which manages a 264-hectare orchard in Cileungsi, will launch today a week-long fruitfest at the park. A fruit market, a seminar on environment regreening, an auction of potted fruit trees and a panel discussion -- titled The Development of National Fruits: Challenges and Prospects -- are among the planned activities.

Results Athletics Men: 3,000m steeplechase 1. Hector Begeo (Phi) 9:08.28 2. Baraira Aries Yose (Ina) 9:16.12 3. Suthichit Jirasak (Tha ) 9:22.15 Javelin: 1. Fredericus Mahuse (Ina) 71.62m 2. Imran Muhamad Yazid (Mas) 71.38m 3. Boonjanari Thirdsa (Tha) 67.16m High jump: 1. Loo Kum Zee (Mas) 2.10m 2. Sathi Anchokwisa Ma (Tha) 2.00m 3. Nugroho Wisnu (Ina) 1.95m 110m hurdles: 1. Majid Nur Herman (Mas) 14.09sec 2. Sangmark Songpon (Tha) 14.35 3. Muhammad Rusli (Ina) 14.48 Shot: 1.

Thai government to unveil economic recovery package BANGKOK (AFP): Thai Finance Minister Thanong Bidaya said yesterday economic ministers approved tough new regulations to force a restructuring of the ailing finance sector as part of a long-awaited economic recovery package. The sector will be required to raise huge amounts of new capital, so financial authorities have been given authority to waive the current limit of 25 percent on foreign holdings in Thai financial institutions.

East Asia summit opens with currency worries HONG KONG (AFP): Political and business leaders gathered here yesterday to start the East Asia Economic Summit, with the region's currency worries and China's promises to speed reforms taking center stage.

Farmer's plantations untouched In reference to the article in your paper (Timber estates threaten forests by Stephanus Djuweng, Oct. 10), PT Finnantara Intiga wishes to clarify its plans in West Kalimantan. Many facts mentioned in the article hold true with most of the past pulp plantation projects in the country. However, since PT Finnantara Intiga was especially mentioned as an example in the article, I would like to elaborate on some principles concerning the activities of our company.