West Sumba's 'nale' rites celebrate fertility goddess By Rofinus D. Kaleka KODI, West Sumba (JP): Each region in Indonesia has a tradition or unique custom which is usually made the prime attraction for tourists. West Sumba, in East Nusa Tenggara, is no different. Here the nale rites and in particular the paholong, more popularly known as pasola, are the main tourist attraction.

TV today TVRI 6:45 a.m. Religious Teachings: Hikmah Pagi 7:15 Healthy and Fit 7:30 Children's Program: Arena 123 8:00 TV Series: Brudy and Family 8:30 Performances: Warna Warni 9:00 Children's Film 9:30 Variety Show: Disekitar Kita 10:00 TVRI News 10:30 Music: Album Minggu Ini 11:30 People and Events 12:15 p.m.

Ex-model steps out into shoe business By Agni Amorita JAKARTA (JP): A successful modeling career is the dream of many young girls. But Auk Murat said goodbye to modeling when she was at the peak of her career. She decided to go into shoe designing in what she herself describes as a "long story". Although her modeling career was brief, she had already made a name for herself. She was crowned the best model in the country and received the Rahadian Yamin Award for modeling in 1987 at the age of 17.

Contest seeks plays on Asian identity JAKARTA (JP): The Singapore Repertory Theater, the world's only international Pan-Asian theater company, has launched a worldwide playwriting competition exploring the modern Asian identity. Through the competition, SRT expects to determine whether Asia indeed has a unique identity and find answers to questions on the concept of Asian values.

PPP supporters dispersed with tear gas JAKARTA (JP): Security forces fired tear gas to disband 2,000 angry supporters of the United Development Party (PPP) involved in a scuffle against Golkar supporters here yesterday An exchange of barbs turned into an exchange of stones between the two sides as PPP supporters tried to force their way past a police barricade on Jl. Matraman Raya, East Jakarta. Hundreds of police and military personnel were called to the scene as the fighting turned violent.

Campaign schedule for Indonesia for May 18, 1997: Party Campaign areas Important campaigners --------------------------------------------------------------- PPP Banda Aceh, Sumatra, Aisyah Aminy, Zarkasih Nur, Tosari Bali, East and West Nusa Widjaya Muhsin Bafadal, Muhammad Tenggara, East Timor Buang, Rusjdi Hamka Golkar Java, Maluku, Irian Jaya Hartarto, Suhardiman, Akbar Tanjung, B.J. Habibie, Sudwikatmono, Ginandjar Kartasasmita PDI Kalimantan, Sulawesi Soerjadi, Fatimah Achmad, Buttu R.

PPP's Ismail turns critical of the government Judging by his performance and career records, Ismail Hasan Metareum, 68, chairman of the United Development Party (PPP), is a low-profile politician. Nobody thought that, one day, he would turn bitter in criticizing the political situation. That's why many observers were jolted recently by Ismail's severe remarks against the government. To further explore his ideas and mission, The Jakarta Post reporter K.

RI wins 1 gold, 1 silver in softball at Arafura Games By Handayani Primastuti DARWIN, Australia (JP): Indonesia's men's softball team won the last gold medal on offer at the Arafura Games Oval but the women's team lost its gold-medal match against Chinese Taipei. Indonesia beat the Northern Territory 6-0 in just under two hours. Dondy Apriliandi, Lukmanul Hakim and captain Tony Pratono hit three runs in the first innings, thanks to fielding mistakes by the home side.

People revel in campaign fever JAKARTA (JP): It is another day and another traffic jam in Jakarta. But today the traffic snarls are longer and there is something decidedly different about those crowding the road. They yell, honk their horns loudly and even alight their vehicles to dance with abandon on the street. That is the story of the city's streets during the campaign period.

Stickers not compulsory in electricity bills: YLKI JAKARTA (JP): The state electricity company PLN has promised to stop adding Rp 1,000 customers' bills as compulsory donations for the South East Asia Games, the Indonesian Consumer Organization (YLKI) said yesterday. PLN President Djiteng Marsudi made the promise in response to YLKI demands that PLN's clients be given the right to refuse to pay the donation.

A horrific encounter with a child JAKARTA (JP): My recent hunt for a cutlery tray almost became a saga of how I could well have ended in an institute of socialization on charges of having murdered a child. What, you ask, is an institute of socialization? Well, you can't say "prison" or "jail" in this country because those words are not considered nice.

The sick flock to healing touch of Joko the bull By Gin Kurniawan YOGYAKARTA (JP): All eyes were fixed on the woman with her arms clasped tightly around a man dressed only in shorts. "Come on Joko," she commanded. A bull appeared from behind the man and began to nuzzle his spine. He then licked his arms, waist and legs. "That's enough for now," the middle-aged woman told the man after 10 minutes. "Come back tomorrow." He slipped an envelope containing money into her hand and said thanks.

Player here to officiate Satelindo Golf Course JP/rsl JAKARTA (JP): A new 18-hole golf course designed by South Africa's world-famous golfer Gary Player (extreme left, photo above) at Bukit Sentul, Bogor was officially opened yesterday by a group of VIPs playing a round.

Satariyah is cut above the rest in hairpiece trade By Gin Kurniawan YOGYAKARTA (JP): Concerns of practicality may be all the rage for hectic modern lifestyles but some traditions die hard. Take hairstyles. While many still believe that a full head of hair is a women's crowning glory, short, mannish styles have become acceptable in Indonesian society.

Susanti to make badminton farewell at Glasgow c'ship LONDON (Reuter): Susi Susanti, one of the sport's major figures, stages her likely swan-song at the world badminton championships starting in Glasgow next week. Although notoriously coy about naming the exact retirement date, the Indonesian is in good enough form to exit on a winning note and begin married life proper with husband Alan Budikusuma.

Color By Sirikit Syah It was a fine day in early May. Susan got herself ready. Her kids had left for school and her husband for the office. She took a taxi to Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta, as she needed to replace the curtains in their house. They had used the same curtains since they moved to this house two years ago. Now, she wanted a change and Tanah Abang was her favorite place to shop for textiles. Last month she had bought a nice carpet for a low price.

A dim view of RI's general election Partai, Pemilu dan Demokrasi (Parties, General Election and Democracy) By Arbi Sanit Pustaka Pelajar, Yogyakarta, 1997 XXX and 253 pp. (including index). YOGYAKARTA (JP): In the current political bustle towards the general election in Indonesia, the record shows consistent violations committed by all of the parties. Criticism and protests by one party against another, or directed toward security forces and the government, have added to the commotion.

PT Dharmakarya Raharja clarifies Referring to the article in The Jakarta Post on May 15, 1997, called New fees on foreign employers criticized, we would like to inform you that the article was not entirely true. We want to make the following points: 1. Members of Apjati (Indonesian Association of Suppliers) have to pay an initial fee of Rp 5,000,000. 2. They also have to pay a contribution of Rp 10,000 for every Indonesian worker sent abroad. 3.

Levi's gets nostalgic in new Jakarta concept store By Dini S. Djalal JAKARTA (JP): Common denominators across continents are hard to come by. Information technology is narrowing the global divide, but it is still difference, not semblance, that distinguishes nations. But some habits are near universal. We eat, we sleep, we work, we avoid work. And we wear jeans. From Seattle to Seoul, Lima to Lagos, jeans comprise the staple uniform of the "modernizing" world.