Thai plastic surgeons cut a niche for themselves By Mick Elmore BANGKOK (DPA): Thai doctors are cutting their way into the world's lucrative plastic surgery market, attracting foreigners with their high standards and low prices for body reconstruction and sex change operations. About half of the patients of private plastic surgery clinics are foreigners, said Doctor Preecha Tiewtranon, one of Bangkok's most renowned plastic surgeons. "We have a lot of foreigners coming here.

Sidewalk vendors increasing From Jayakarta Sidewalk vendors and hawkers are increasingly crowding Pasar Minggu terminal causing traffic jams in the area. Some time ago, the South Jakarta Mayor visited the area to discipline the small traders and ensure that cleanliness of the terminal be maintained. Local employees of the Jakarta administration appear not to have supported the idea and continue to allow sidewalk vendors and hawkers conduct their business in a disorderly manner.

Women wokers still face challenges in Indonesia By Devi M. Asmarani JAKARTA (JP): Tuti, a newlywed female employee at a garment factory, got an unexpected wedding present from her boss last year: She was asked to resign. The reason behind the order was that the young woman had married a coworker. Confused, Tuti went to the Social Legal Aid Information Center (Sisbikum), a non-governmental organization specializing in labor rights. She lodged her complaints and asked for help.

Table minimum monthly wage levels MINIMUM MONTHLY WAGE LEVELS FOR 1996 AND 1997 -------------------------------------------------------------------- NO. PROVINCE 1996 1997 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Minimum Minimum Minimum Minimum monthly monthly monthly monthly wage requirement wage requirement (in Rp) (in Rp.) (in Rp.) (in Rp.) 1. Aceh 115,500 102,950 128,000 115,283 2. North Sumatra 138,000 122,060 151,000 132,557 3.

'Ipphos' to sell Indonesia's historical photo negatives By K. Basrie JAKARTA (JP): About one million photographic negatives depicting events from Indonesia's monumental history from Independence Day in 1945 until 1966 are now on sale at Ipphos, the first and formerly the largest press photo agency in the country and main source of historical information for the government.

Soeharto fully supports Myanmar's ASEAN entry YANGON (Agencies): President Soeharto assured Myanmar yesterday of Indonesia's full support of its plan to become a full member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at an "appropriate time", Antara reported. Myanmar has fulfilled the economic criteria to become a full member, Indonesia's State Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono told reporters of a meeting between Soeharto and Gen.

TIM's status From Media Indonesia With reference to Media Indonesia's report of Feb. 13 Change of TIM needs to be criticized, as an artist, I feel very concerned about Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM) arts center's change of status. A hotel and a mall is to be built on the site. Jakarta governor in the 1970s, Ali Sadikin, has clearly delineated TIM's function as an arts center. With the current changes, it is not possible any longer to enjoy arts performances amid the noise of market activities.

RI to face Malaysia in A King Asia Cup finals JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's shuttlers face Malaysia in today's final of the US$150,000 A King Asia Cup championships at the Senayan Tennis Indoor Stadium. The final will be broadcast live by SCTV starting at 2 p.m. Indonesia eliminated South Korea 3-0 while Malaysia beat Chinese Taipei 2-1 yesterday. Indonesia's world ranked number four Indra Wijaya overcame Park Sung-woo, ranked sixth, 15-6, 15-8 in 45 minutes.

Score roundup Badminton A King Asia Cup 1997 Semifinals: Malaysia bt Chinese Taipei 2-1 Ong Ewe Hock (Mal) bt Fung Permadi (Tpe) 9-15, 18-13, 15-13 Pang Chen (Mal) bt Chien Yu Hsiu (Tpe) 15-11, 15-6 Chien Yu Hsun/Huang Shih Chung (Tpe) bt Tan Kim Her/Lee Wan Wah (Mal) 8-15, 15-5, 15-10 Indonesia bt South Korea 3-0 Indra Wijaya (Ina) bt Park Sung-woo (Kor) 15-6, 15-8 Sigit Budiarto/Chandra Wijaya (Ina) bt Lee Dong-soo/Yoo Yong-sung (Kor) 15-6, 15-9 Budi Santoso (Ina) bt Kim Chul Joong (Kor)15-9,...

How much for an Indonesian finger? JAKARTA (JP): It was a case of mistaken identity, and incisive insensitivity. A Franco-Indian man -- let's call him Bart -- was riding his Vespa to the hospital (ironically, for a medical check-up) when he crashed into a car. A painful crawl in the flower bed and one less finger later, Bart lay on a hospital bed watching his finger being taped back to his left hand. The doctor's stern orders?

Former fighters visit leaders' graves By Imanuddin BLITAR, East Java (JP): Former independence fighters, some of whom are senior statesmen, began yesterday a journey to pay their respects to Indonesia's founding fathers, starting with the late president Sukarno's grave here. House Speaker Wahono, former house speaker Mohamad Kharis Suhud, former defense minister Poniman and Moslem leader A. Dahlan Ranuwihardjo are included in the 92-strong entourage paying the devotional visits.

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: Grandizer 8:00 Science Film 8:30 Information 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.

Workers and employers still play tug-of-war JAKARTA (JP): When it comes to wages, it's a tug-of-war between employers and workers. Employers want the lowest possible wages, and workers want it vice versa. Every time the government increases regional minimum wages, union leaders complain the increases are too small and employers grumble, citing financial difficulties.

Kim's son cleared of Hanbo suspicions SEOUL (Reuter): South Korean prosecutors cleared President Kim Young-sam's son yesterday of any wrongdoing in connection with a loan scandal surrounding the failed Hanbo Steel Co. Senior prosecutor Choi Byung-koog told reporters that Kim Hyun-chul was sent home after being cleared of all suspicions in connection with huge loans to Hanbo Steel Co, flagship of South Korea's 14th largest conglomerate.

Reaching dreams on minimum wages After a few years of hard work in a big city, one would expect to own smarter clothes, have some savings and win respect for having a stable job. This year the government raised minimum wages by 10 percent, to be effective from April. The following story, and those on pages 9 and 13, by The Jakarta Post reporters Devi M. Asmarani, IGGP Bayu Ismoyo, Imanuddin, Kosasih Deradjat, Riyadi, and Primastuti Handayani look at how people struggle on meager wages.

Sadaya Ishigaki to display 'Panorama of Jakarta' JAKARTA (JP): The dynamic impressionistic paintings of Japanese painter Sadaya Ishigaki will be shown here in a two-day exhibition starting Thursday. The exhibition at the Shangri-La Hotel will feature about 45 paintings of Indonesia done by the artist during his short visits to this country since September. Ishigaki was born in Mie Prefecture, Japan, in 1947.

Ande, a hard-working businessman A college degree might be important for some hoping to get ahead in business. But working hard is more important for those like Ande Abdul Latief, the founder of Tiga Utama, an institution that provides haj and umrah (lesser pilgrimage) services. Ande talked to K. Basrie of The Jakarta Post about the ups and downs in his life and businesses. JAKARTA (JP): Throughout his life, Ande Abdul Latief, 56, has experienced ups and downs in a variety of business ventures.

Latief fights to improve workers' welfare By Ridwan M. Sijabat JAKARTA (JP): Is it possible for a businessman here to make a decision that benefits workers? Braveheart businessman and minister Abdul Latief has. During the last three years of his tenure in office, Latief, in his capacity as minister of manpower, has issued dozens of decrees to improve labor conditions. It is Latief who annually issues decrees on increases in monthly minimum wages.

Ganesha helps promote local culture By Yenni Kwok JAKARTA (JP): A cosmopolitan community can sometimes enhance the appreciation of the local culture. How so? The Indonesian Heritage Society is an example. Known as Ganesha Volunteers until 1995 the Indonesian Heritage Society is a nonprofit organization that promotes and generates interest in Indonesian culture. It has attracted 500 members from 34 countries.

The sad story of a unique photo agency JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Press Photo Service (Ipphos) was founded by six press photographers: Alexius Impurung Mendur, his brother Frans Sumarto Mendur, J.K. Umbas and brother Nyong F. Umbas, Alex Mamusung and Oscar Ganda. Some of the founders were former photographers for several media. Alexius, for instance, was once a photographer for the Dutch-run De Java Bode and Domei of Japan.

Filipino Maribeth seeks second wind in Indonesia By Achmad Nurhoeri JAKARTA (JP): Five years after she swept the nation with her 1992 Denpasar Moon, Filipino diva Maribeth B. Pascua is back in Indonesia to recapture her days of adoration. However, her first shot at Jakarta's Poster Cafe on Thursday night proved that sequels rarely match first time successes.

Hotel profits from environmental concern By R. Fadjri YOGYAKARTA (JP): The environmental approach is taking on global business dimensions due to political and business pressures. It is even more obvious in the area of tourism, where the environmental approach has been implemented to win stiff competition in the hotel business. One of the hotels using the environmental approach is the Puri Asri Hotel.

Badminton body to feature women's event in Asia Cup JAKARTA (JP): The Asian Badminton Confederation's Executive Committee decided yesterday to stage a women's team event at the Asia Cup championship in two years time. "The next Asia Cup championship, in 1999, will feature a women's event, with the same format of two singles and one doubles," said the confederation's secretary-general Punch Gunalan of Malaysia.

Majapahit Mandarin, the boutique hotel of Surabaya By Sirikit Syah SURABAYA, East Java (JP): If it is the Raffles in Singapore, then it is the Majapahit in Indonesia. That's what people say about the glamorous boutique hotel in Surabaya. Indeed, the founders of both hotels were father and son, according to a hotel officer. During the Dutch colonial period, the Sarkies family from Armenia was famous for its businesses across Southeast Asia. They were called "The Sarkies Empire".