Condet: Cultural reserve From Merdeka Condet's plight surfaced recently after news emerged of Jakarta's interest to buy up the region. The administration plans to do it for preventive reasons, in order to maintain and conserve the Condet area as a cultural reserve in the area. The plan has been received with mixed feelings by the people of Condet, to the extent that local public leaders felt it necessary to issue a press release on the subject.

Flora expo offers more than flowers JAKARTA (JP): Everyone knows about the expression "small is beautiful", but how about "small is beautiful and expensive?" Small, beautiful and expensive potted bonsai plants are among those on display at the International Flora Show, at the Jakarta Convention Center. In one stand, a lemon tree is sold for Rp 75,000, while another participant has put a Rp 250,000 price tag on a potted lemon tree.

Timika situation calm but crisis remains JAKARTA (JP): The situation in Timika, a town near the Freeport copper and gold mine in Irian Jaya, was calm yesterday after a tribal clash Thursday which claimed three lives. The incident, sparked by a drunkard who harassed a village head, involved Amungme, Nguda and Dhani tribes. The Institute of Amungme Society was until last night still trying to reach a settlement between the involved parties.

Labor leader Pakpahan taken to hospital JAKARTA (JP): Detained labor leader Muchtar Pakpahan was taken to hospital Friday night, four days after he exploded in court accusing a judge of ignoring his poor health. The decision to send him to the private Cikini Hospital was made at the recommendation of the prison doctor, his lawyer, Irianto Subiakto, told The Jakarta Post yesterday. As of yesterday, he was still very weak, Irianto said.

'Wild Indonesia,' a celebration of the archipelago JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia will be in the international spotlight once again in the new documentary, Wild Indonesia. The one-hour film is being produced by Bristol-based Tigress Productions, an independent television production company. Andrew Jackson, the company's series producer, told The Jakarta Post in a recent interview that Wild Indonesia is an ambitious project.

Russia scores hat-trick at Chess Olympiad By Kristianus Liem JAKARTA (JP): The 32nd Chess Olympiad in Yerevan, Armenia, was another show of Russia's dominance over world chess. They won the men's Olympiad for the third time making a sweet hat-trick. Russia's strength in chess is so enormous that they could easily field three different gold medal winning teams. But, they did not rest of their laurels won last two years.

People hear their own voices at gatherings with Emha By Sirikit Syah JOMBANG, East Java (JP): From the main road of Jombang on to the small road leading to Menturo village in the Sumobuto district here, dozens of cars and motorcycles fight their way to the house of Islamic preacher and poet Emha Ainun Najib. The dirt road was rocky and unlit. On both sides of the road were rickety houses with no electricity.

Take that darn TV set away, please JAKARTA (JP): In traffic congested Jakarta, why would you ever spend time visiting the house of your relatives or friends? Chances are, you'd like to have a chat with them. Perhaps you'd like to catch up with the latest news about their family. Or perhaps you'd like to exchange gossip concerning your mutual friends and acquaintances. Too bad. In many homes I've visited in Jakarta, there's usually a domineering third party in the living room: the TV set.

Erotic 'Playback' challenges censorship policy By Laksmi Pamuntjak-Djohan JAKARTA (JP): That Playback can be shown in cinemas here begs at least two fundamental questions. Firstly, what has become of our censorship policy? Playback is, put quite simply, a product of the Playboy Entertainment Group, and is unequivocally classified as erotica, rated R for strong sexuality and language. Stripped of most of its graphic lovemaking scenes, this film is, of course, better off not being shown at all.

Cafe king Wiyogo talks of business strategies By Prapti Widinugraheni and I. Christianto JAKARTA (JP): Bambang Atmanto Wiyogo, the son of former Jakarta governor Wiyogo Atmodarminto, currently controls seven cafe-restaurants, almost all of which offer live music. He started doing business when he was a student of Gadjah Mada University's school of economics in Yogyakarta in 1979. His first business had nothing to do with cafes.

Growth in Asia, its roots and implications Asia Rising; By Jim Rohwer; Nicholas Brealey Publishing, Great Britain, 1996; Paperback edition, 382 pages; Rp 55,000 JAKARTA (JP): In his lucid and provocative book, Asia Rising, Jim Rohwer has attempted to provide insightful arguments on why and how "the economic rise of East and Southeast Asia in the half-century since the end of World War II has been, if perhaps not precisely miraculous, nonetheless astounding." He also tries to answer two major...

Oh! Bahasa Indonesia, it's so easy By G.S. Edwin JAKARTA (JP): I've come across a lot of people who proudly utter, "Oh, it's so easy." Mention "computer" to one of them, then comes "Oh, it's so easy." For God's sake, how? Then, they put you in place: The computer knows you are an ignoramus. So, it tells you all that is to be done. The implied -- can anything be more easy? -- is almost as bad as a slap. I am one of those at the opposite end of things.

The long tradition of cafes and pubs JAKARTA (JP): Visiting cafes and pubs has become part of daily life in Jakarta, but few here understand the original function of these establishments. Budiman Wijaya, an executive at a local advertising agency, said that he expects delicious food, good music and a cozy atmosphere when he goes to a cafe. But the terms cafe and pub only entered the minds of Indonesians recently. "I still don't know when a restaurant should be called a cafe or a pub," he said.

Village awakens to promise of the 'gurah' method By Gigin and R. Fadjri YOGYAKARTA (JP): New technologies may have produced better forms of medicine, but there are still no guaranteed cures for a number of nagging health problems and simple ailments. Many people still prefer traditional medicine and alternative treatments to consulting a general practitioner.

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: Speed Racer 8:00 TV Drama: Disekitar Kita 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.

Jakarta cafe culture cathes on What is it that busy people seek in their search for fun and relaxation as they try to reach the heights of power? Bars, pubs and cafes, whether in hotels or as separate businesses, have prospered because of the new breed of young professionals and beautiful people who want to see and be seen. The Jakarta Post's reporters I. Christianto, Prapti Widinugraheni, Rita A.

North Sumatra labor abuse claims denied MEDAN (JP): Manpower authorities in North Sumatra deny that any workers are being abused or children put to work on the many jermal, or fishing stations, located off the east coast of the province. The chief of the manpower ministry's North Sumatra office, I Gede Bagus Swide, said that the issues were old and baseless. "We recently took a trip to the waters and found no child workers or labor exploitation," he told The Jakarta Post.

Flamenco takes center stage at Plaza De Espana By Yenni Kwok JAKARTA (JP): If you think a good Spanish night is a night of tapas and wine, Jorge "Jordi" Reyes will say it's not joyful enough.

New group of activists for democracy emerges JAKARTA (JP): A group of prominent activists and intellectuals gathered over the weekend for a post-Idul Fitri celebration which many believed signified the impetus of a new alliance for democracy. Only 300 invitations were issued but over 1,000 packed the Manggala Wanabhakti meeting hall. Among the diverse group were artists, journalists and students.

Tales of hard child labor on N. Sumatra's fishing stations Text and photos by Ridwan M. Sijabat TANJUNG BALAI, North Sumatra (JP): A beach resort is a place where most people, especially children, would be happy to stay for days, weeks or even months. But for school-age children and youths employed in fishing stations along North Sumatra's coastal areas, living by the sea is painful.

What people say about the cafe scene JAKARTA (JP): The increasing number of cafes and pubs in Jakarta has drawn comment from various people. Renowned basketball promoter Ary Sudarsono said the burgeoning of cafes indicates investors are increasingly staking their money in the food and beverage industry. "That's great, but unfortunately they fail to adopt the true concept of a cafe.

Establishments fight for slice of Jakarta nightlife pie JAKARTA (JP): As the cafe culture takes hold and the number of foreigners in the city escalates, the number of places to eat and drink in the city has surged. With more than 400 restaurants, cafes, pubs and bars in the capital, establishment owners are having to adjust their prices and improve their services to keep their businesses healthy and profitable.

Guess What? Sarwono Kusumaatmadja With the election less than three months away, most government gestures are being interpreted as campaign tactics. That was the feeling expressed by State Minister of Environment Sarwono Kusumaatmadja at a national workshop on developing better human resources to manage the environment. Keeping with tradition, the minister was expected to beat a gong three times to open the event.

Cafe boom in Kemang brings in droves of new visitors JAKARTA (JP): Going out for dinner? Why not try something in the Kemang area. Previously known as one of Jakarta's most affluent neighborhoods, Kemang is evolving into one of the capital's most popular destinations for business and leisure. The narrow, tree- lined streets have given way to glittering cafes, trendy pubs, art curio shops, supermarkets and offices. The 330-hectare area in South Jakarta stretching from Jl. Kemang Raya to Jl.

Public companies urged to help small firms JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto appealed yesterday to publicly-listed companies to use money raised on the stock exchange to either assist small and medium-sized companies, or purchase government bonds. Soeharto took his campaign to eliminate the disparity between big and small companies one step further during a meeting with corporate leaders at the Presidential Palace in Bogor.