Satelindo's service On Sept. 17, 1997 I purchased an Ericsson model GH688 mobile telephone handset together with SIM card and a package of services that purported to include GSM roaming and IDD. This package cost Rp 1,600,000. Like a number of your readers who regularly travel in the region, GSM roaming was a key item in my choice of telephone services. On my first trip overseas it became apparent that PT Satelindo had not registered me as a GSM roaming user.

Tourist arrivals drop in Batam, Bali JAKARTA (JP): The number of foreign tourists arriving in Batam Island, one of Indonesia's seven entry points for travelers, dropped by 2.37 percent in October to 80,659 people, compared to 82,577 for the same time last year. Data from the Ministry of Tourism, Post and Telecommunications shows that last month's tally is 4.46 percent lower than the 84,266 tourists recorded in September.

RI's economy needs massive reforms: economists JAKARTA (JP): Total reformation requires changes from both the government and the business sector to prevent another economic crisis in the future, economists from the University of Indonesia said here Thursday. Sri Adiningsih said business players and bureaucrats had to change their attitudes to ensure they would create a healthy business environment.

Where to go in Jakarta: Saturday, Nov. 29, 1997 Exhibitions * Painting Exhibition: The Southern Charm by Katrina Bohan- Tyrie, at Galeri Linggar, Jl. Kemang Timur No. 36, South Jakarta, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., until Dec. 7. * Painting Exhibition: By Yaqub Elka at Kedai Cakep, Gelanggang Remaja Bulungan, Jl. Bulungan Blok C-1, South Jakarta, until Nov. 30. * Graphic Art Exhibition: Boeatan Indonesia Asli, vintage Indonesian Advertising and Graphic Design Revisited, at Galeri TC (Twilight Cafe), Jl.

By Laksamana Sukardi This is the second of two articles based on based on a paper presented at a "power breakfast" meeting organized by the International Advertising Association at the Hilton Executive Club on Nov. 21, 1997 in Jakarta. JAKARTA: The IMF arrived quickly on the scene to rescue the economy. The Indonesian problem, however, is very different from the typical set of problems that the IMF is supposed to solve.

Southeast Asia faces two to three years of pain By Roberto Coloma SINGAPORE (AFP): Southeast Asia faces a sharp and painful slowdown in the next two to three years after a currency crisis slammed the brakes on an astonishing growth run which masked serious regional flaws, economists say.

Govt to lend dollar to private firms JAKARTA (JP): The government is to extend U.S.-dollar loans to local export-oriented firms to help boost the country's non-oil exports, Minister of Industry and Trade Tunky Ariwibowo said here Thursday. He told journalists at his office that more than 200 local companies had registered their names for the dollar loans to boost their working capital. "The chance for companies to register their names is still wide open.

Forestry minister declares war against illegal levies JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Forestry Djamaludin Suryohadikusumo issued Thursday an instruction to all provincial offices of his ministry to fight against illegal levies in the forestry sector. In his letter No. 1360/1997, issued on Wednesday, Djamaludin instructed provincial forestry offices throughout Indonesia to eliminate 14 illegal levies often imposed on forestry businesses.

Positive moves amid all the gloom One significant feature of the just-ended Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum was that speaker after speaker hammered home the same message: Globalisation is here to stay; it is the way of the future.'' Yes, the summit was held in the shadow of financial turmoil in Asia. But the majority of delegates obviously felt that countries in this region and elsewhere can still profit from the global system.

By Laksamana Sukardi This is the second of two articles based on a paper presented at a "power breakfast" meeting organized by the International Advertising Association at the Hilton Executive Club on Nov. 21, 1997 in Jakarta. JAKARTA: The IMF arrived quickly on the scene to rescue the economy. The Indonesian problem, however, is very different from the typical set of problems that the IMF is supposed to solve.

World Bank, ADB may join IMF-led Korean bail SEOUL (Reuters): Saying US$20 billion would not be enough to deal with a debt crisis, South Korea's Finance Minister said the World Bank and the Asia Development Bank were also willing to contribute to an IMF-led program. "The South Korean government would welcome their participation," Finance Minister Lim Chang-yuel told journalists after meeting Hubert Neiss, head of the IMF delegation to South Korea.

Chamber Music Society celebrates Schubert By Nicolas Colombant JAKARTA (JP): The cast of the Yayasan Musik Internasional chamber music society reads like the classical music version of the Globetrotters: Coming soon to a recital hall near you. Lead violinist I.G. Bagus Wiswakarma is unpacking his bags and publicly showcasing his talents in Jakarta for the first time after seven years in Germany, of which the last two were spent as principal second violinist for the Hamburg Symphony Orchestra.

Indonesia rice order boosts Thai market, more seen BANGKOK (Reuters): Indonesia's purchase of 300,000 tons of Thai rice has cheered the local market amid expectations of further orders, trade sources said Thursday. They estimated that Indonesia was likely to import between 1.5 million and 2.0 million tons of rice from various sources between now and early 1998 to make up for a local shortfall due to effects of the El Nio weather phenomenon.

ASEAN declares haze over, urges tourists to return SINGAPORE (AFP): The smoky haze that affected Southeast Asia for months is over, a joint statement from ASEAN members said Thursday, urging tourists to return to a region now basking in "blue skies and brilliant sunshine".

APEC benefiting small traders? By Juni Thamrin and Charlene Simpson BANDUNG (JP): The 1997 Action Plan for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) has been hailed by APEC as the key to strengthening SMEs dynamism. Under closer inspection, the plan contains some glaring oversights which have the potential to further shackle Indonesian SMEs, and widen gaps in wealth and opportunities.

APEC benefiting small traders? By Juni Thamrin and Charlene Simpson BANDUNG (JP): The 1997 Action Plan for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) has been hailed by APEC as the key to strengthening SMEs dynamism. Under closer inspection, the plan contains some glaring oversights which have the potential to further shackle Indonesian SMEs, and widen gaps in wealth and opportunities.

`Lutung Kasarung' defines symbolism By Yogita Tahil Ramani JAKARTA (JP): It is often said that a person gets from a symbol the meaning he puts into it, and what is one man's comfort and inspiration is another's jest and scorn. If these words express the profundity of symbolism, then the play Lutung Kasarung, a mythical story derived from old Sundanese culture, enacted it.

Asia 2020 -- Asia's banks face long road to recover By Marguerite Nugent SINGAPORE (Reuters): Many banks in Asia face a long road to recovery from the region's financial crisis, but when they do they should be ready to meet the challenge of regional and global competitors, analysts and economists say. Asian banks are undergoing a metamorphosis as they struggle with problem loans that have come to characterize the financial crisis gripping the region.

;JP;LEO;LEO;OBY; ANPAv..r.. Photo-Rarang-Sari-Schubert Photo captions JP/9/CAP Photo captions Photo A: Rarang JP/leo The wicked Purba Rarang proudly flaunts her tresses as a symbol of beauty. In the stage act of the literary piece Lutung Kasarung, the length and texture of a woman's hair signified the degree of beauty.

Asia-Pacific finance ministers to focus on turmoil, G15 opts out KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Asia-Pacific finance ministers plan to discuss steps to make currency trading more transparent and develop prudential and disclosure standards for financial markets during their two-day meeting next week, a senior Malaysian official said Thursday.

KL seeks RI's coop in palm oil industry By David Chew SINGAPORE (JP): The haze, the battered currencies and depressed stock markets have certainly exacted a heavy toll on the environment and economies of Indonesia and Malaysia. Not only have vast tracts of burned forests in Indonesia inflicted extensive damage on Southeast Asia's ecology, many businessmen in both countries have also watched helplessly their fortunes being wiped out at one go in currency and share trading.