'Speed 2' bigger but not better than first one By Laksmi Pamuntjak-Djohan JAKARTA (JP): Speed 2, Jan de Bont's sequel to the surprise summer hit of 1994, only confirms that sequels are not necessarily equals. The premise follows a patented franchise formula: bigger but not necessarily better. What was a well-crafted peril-on-a-bus thriller is now a sloppy peril-on-a-luxury-cruise-ship giant bore.

Three-in-one policy takes a beating in Jakarta's streets By Edith Hartanto JAKARTA (JP): The restricted traffic zone policy, referred to as the "three-in-one" system, has had its share of controversy since first being introduced on April 20, 1992. The policy, based on Law No. 14/1992, requires private cars to carry at least three people when traveling along Jl. Gatot Subroto, Jl. Sudirman and Jl. Thamrin between 6:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. on work days.

Wig-wearing mania carpets trendy Jakartans By Agni Amorita JAKARTA (JP): A raging phenomenon has hit fashion-conscious Jakartans since the end of last year: the wearing of wigs. Whether men or women, Jakartans have been competing with "dare-to-be-different" wig-looks to go with the latest fashion- trend.

Airlines introduce raised airfares JAKARTA (JP): The country's airlines will introduce tomorrow raised airfares and add additional charges to tickets bought before Oct. 27 for flights departing today and onward. The country's flag carrier Garuda Indonesia announced yesterday that passengers also would be required to pay additional charges if they wanted to reroute any tickets bought before Oct. 27 to comply with the new rates.

Residents cheer sporadic rain amid drought, haze JAKARTA (JP): Amidst pessimistic forecasts that the current drought could drag on even longer, rains fell sporadically yesterday to the great cheer from residents who had been suffering from water shortages and foul air due to haze for the past several months. Three hours of drizzle lifted the spirits of residents in Bandung, West Java. "It will at least be able to reduce dust on the streets and the roofs," said Dadang, a local.

Local patients seek 'personal touch' abroad JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's lack of sufficient medical facilities and the absence of an overall personal touch in health care may be among reasons thousands head to Singapore every year. Through necessity, the government has focused on meeting basic medical provisions due to the nation's huge population and geographic scope.

PAS band's harsh music tunes blare their 'individuality' By Helly Minarti JAKARTA (JP): Parents, if you pass your teenage children's bedroom and hear harsh music blaring out loud, it could be one of those mind-boggling tunes from PAS, an Indonesian band stamped as the flag bearer of so-called alternative music. You might not want to hear the music, let alone the lyrics. Along with their shocking music, come those angry words, including obscenities in some of their first English songs.

Morality a yardstick of a leader's quality Pemimpin dan Kepemimpinan Pemerintahan; Pendekatan Budaya, Moral dan Etika (Government Leaders and Leadership; Cultural, Moral and Ethical Approaches) By Dr. Ermaya Suradinata PT Gramedia Pustaka Utama, 1997 xiii + 207 Rp 10,000 JAKARTA (JP): A leader determines how an organization will fare. This is true of any community, big or small.

Have money, will travel for new breed of Indonesians JAKARTA (JP): Today's Indonesians hunger for a new title -- HBA -- to round out their academic achievements and career gains. "Has Been Abroad" is a point of pride for many in their families, communities and workplaces. Earlier this year, Kompas detailed how the haves in this country spend their money during vacations.

The ins and outs of three-in-one The restricted traffic zone system in Jakarta's central area, popularly called the "three-in-one" system, will soon be phased out because newly appointed Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso considers it as ineffective in easing congestion. But in the absence of any viable alternative, the system has its staunch supporters. This article looks into the controversy. A brief history of the three- in-one system appears on Page 9.

Hunting ancient treasures with supernatural powers Text and photos by Tarko Sudiarno YOGYAKARTA (JP): Psychics have long offered their services in the interest of science in the countries that made up the now- defunct Soviet Union. Many scientific studies have been conducted in these countries to bring psychic phenomena closer to science. Psychic abilities are no longer considered supernatural phenomena that runs counter to science. In Indonesia science has not gone that far yet.

Former entertainer tunes in to labor issues By T. Sima Gunawan JAKARTA (JP): Arist Merdeka Sirait used to sing and play guitar in hotels. Today, he has left the entertainment world far behind as he dedicates his life to the struggle for workers' rights. In his capacity as director of the Indonesian Committee for the Creative Education of Child Labor Foundation (Kompak), he has been invited by the Norwegian government to the International Conference on Child Labor in Oslo from Oct. 27-Oct. 30.

One in 6 Indonesians has mental problems JAKARTA (JP): Some 36 million Indonesians, or nearly one in six of the country's 200 million people, suffer from minor mental illnesses, according to an expert. Dr. H.A. Hardiman, the director of the Ministry of Health's mental health department, said in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, yesterday that most of the mental ailments were caused by anxiety, psychosomatic problems and depression.

Some do's and don'ts of reading aloud BOGOR, West Java (JP): One of the first things to remember before parents read aloud to their children is that they should also be interested in the book. Children can sense that you are bored with a book, and they would very likely think the same thing. Remember that children usually have short attention spans. Only gradually do they build the ability to concentrate for a longer period.

Singapore grapples with thorny and competitive orchid market By Dean Visser SINGAPORE (DPA): Orchid cultivation is just the kind of industry that tiny, high-tech Singapore likes - clean, green and exotic, a business where ingenuity and precision stand a fighting chance against pure brute quantity. But orchid exporters in the city-state - the world's second largest supplier of the popular blooms - are grappling to keep their place as costs rise and more players enter the quirky market.

Indonesians flock to S'pore for better health care SINGAPORE (JP): It is no secret that Indonesians have for many years flocked to Singapore to shop. What is often overlooked is that many go to the island state for medical care. Slowly but surely, Singapore has built a reputation as one of the finest medical treatment centers in the region. Mount Elizabeth Hospital is among the best known infirmaries for Indonesians.

Indonesia's Sebastian Gunawan tailors to fit the woman By Dini S. Djalal JAKARTA (JP): Booming, thriving and skyrocketing are words often used to describe Indonesia's retail industry. Yet while international labels took advantage of an aspirational nouveau riche eager for the latest imports, local designers watched customers pass them by. Garments sporting the label "Made in Indonesia" littered the atriums of department stores, but gathering dust instead of cash.

New law shortchanges child workers By Apong Herlina Child labor is the subject of an international conference in Oslo on Oct. 27-Oct. 30, jointly organized by the International Labor Organization and the United Nations Children's Fund. Apong Herlina, director of the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute, shares her thoughts on the problem of child labor in Indonesia, especially in relation to the 1997 Manpower Law. JAKARTA (JP): Child labor is not a new phenomenon in this country.

A Reminder of Forest Fire in Indonesia We are no longer beauty queens with sexy brown skin There will be no more beauty pageants All contestants are dehydrated We sing with throaty voices and tears streaming down our cheeks Still, no one notices us Where are all the rich princes? Don't they remember our sexy figures?

Medicine in Jakarta to cost 15 percent more JAKARTA (JP): Medicine is likely to cost an average 15 percent more in Jakarta from December because of soaring costs of imported raw materials, an industry official said.

Susi, Joko miss national championships JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's best shuttlers Susi Susanti and Joko Suprianto will miss the 1997 Ardath Badminton National Championships in Bandung from Oct. 28 to Nov. 2. Susi sustained a knee injury in the just concluded SEA Games team event finals while Joko will compete in the Hongkong Open which is on at the same time.

Storytelling captures the hearts of children By Rita A. Widiadana JAKARTA (JP): Hundreds of children clapped and cheered, shrieking with laughter as WeEs Ibnu Say ended his story. Thanks to his theatrical and narrative talents, this storyteller captivated the minds and hearts of the children with the simple tale Nis dan Bulan (Nis and the Moon) at a campsite in Ragunan, South Jakarta, last week.

Sarwono keeps mum on bonuses JAKARTA (JP): In an apparent attempt to meet State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Hayono Isman's call not to over- publicize the bonuses of 19th SEA Games winners, Indonesian Tennis Association chairman Sarwono Kusumaatmadja declined to mention bonus amounts Friday. At a simple dinner at his house, Sarwono said: "Our nation is facing a very tough problem, I think it would be inappropriate to discuss the bonuses.

In the lap of luxury at new Amanjiwo holiday resort By Tedy Novan BOROBUDUR, Central Java (JP): The gripe of the rich and famous about never finding a private moment gets short shrift among the rest of us trapped in the rat race. But when celebrities want to turn their back on the lenses of the media and get away from it all, many of them flick anxiously through their Rolodex for the nearest location of an Amanresort.