MegaNet, Telkomsel combine services The marriage between the GSM cellular phone and Internet electronic-mail technology is something that many time-crunching, information-thirsty individuals will cheer. Over the world, one can see the areas of GSM mobile communications and the Internet merge. Both markets are booming in almost every country worldwide. Many GSM operators see this as an opportunity to create more services and more benefits for the user.

Tips for those wanting to try the Internet JAKARTA (JP): You have heard a lot in praise of the Internet: it is fun, it allows people all over the world to communicate easily and it provides you with all kinds of information. You are interested but you don't know where to begin. The first thing you need is a computer. Those with pentium processors would be nice, but a 486 would suffice. An IBM compatible or a Macintosh will do, but it must be equipped with a modem.

Rendra sticks to principles in twilight years By K. Basrie CIPAYUNG JAYA, West Java (JP): W.S. Rendra, long hailed as the godfather of Indonesia's poets and playwrights, is not cut from the same cloth as those noted artists who seek to parlay their popularity into a political career. Of course, this does not mean that he does not care about what's happening in this country -- his work, loaded with trenchant social criticism, has served as a moral conscience for many.

'Dangdut' dances onto the political stage JAKARTA (JP): Someone should go on a globe-trotting safari to see if there is anywhere else in the world where music is politically more powerful than dangdut is in Indonesia. In the recent election campaign, dangdut, which is heavily influenced by Indian rhythms, has again proven itself an effective political weapon. Despite its rejection by the middle and upper classes, dangdut has always attracted grassroots people to campaign rallies.

Tough measures for criminals From Neraca Violent robberies have been on the increase recently, particularly in the developing areas like Bogor, Tangerang and Bekasi. The robbers, usually in groups of three to eight, do not hesitate to resort to violence whenever their victims resist. This development is a concern to the local community as the people always feel haunted and uneasy. They don't mind losing their material belongings, but what they fear most is the murderous nature of the robbers.

NU members incited to violence: Gus Dur JAKARTA (JP): Abdurrahman Wahid, the chairman of the 30 million-strong Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Moslem organization, said yesterday his members had been repeatedly provoked to get involved in election campaign riots. "Some parties tried to provoke NU members because they wanted to foil the election and discredit NU," Abdurrahman said. He refused to say who had provoked his members but promised to name them after the May 29 election.

Reflections on Indonesia's general election Menggugat Pemilu (Questioning the General Election) Parulian Donald S. (Introduction by Luhut M.P. Pangaribuan) Pustaka Sinar Harapan, Jakarta, 1997 XIV and 140 pp Rp 7,900 JAKARTA (JP): The book, despite its title, does not ask readers to boycott the general election; but it also does not dissuade them from joining non-voters. The book contains reflections on the activities leading to the election.

Moelyono's art invites dialog on social issues By R. Fadjri YOGYAKARTA (JP): One hundred and fifty yellow coconuts piled in five neat heaps on the floor of the Bentang Gallery form an elongated square. A plastic straw pokes out of an opening in one coconut on the lower rung. Light from a bulb above the display completes the scene. Moelyono's installation art is featured in the Tumpengan Kelapa exhibition at this Yogyakarta gallery through the end of the month.

Equestrian league may boost RI riders' skills JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Equestrian Association expects the first Southeast Asian Jumping Event League this year will improve skills of regional riders, including those from Indonesia in their quest to qualify for the Olympics. There will be eight events in three countries this year, Max E Ammann, the Volvo World Cup Jumping director, told reporters yesterday at the Arthayasa stables in Limo, Bogor.

AB Three thrills teen crowd in concert at Fashion Cafe By K. Basrie JAKARTA (JP): They are young, beautiful, energetic and entertaining. They are AB Three, one of Indonesia's most talented groups. The three young women once again proved they are among the country's best entertainers in a concert at Fashion Cafe last week. The internationally-renowned group's stunning vocals and dance confirmed their professionalism and bright future.

Looking for riots in all the wrong places By Dini S. Djalal PEKALONGAN, Central Java (JP): The street was peaceful. Uniformed schoolgirls in jilbab (Moslem headdress) giggled as they drank green soda from a street vendor. A man cycled past, balancing a pile of tin boxes on his bicycle. Some women sat in front of their two-room houses, chatting about local gossip. Faced with this slice of small town slumber, I asked myself that most charming of journalists' questions: "This is it?

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.

Glerum popularized Indonesia paintings By Amir Sidharta JAKARTA (JP): Since 1994, Southeast Asian art was primarily auctioned by Christie's in Singapore. Last year, Sotheby's followed suit and held their first auction of Southeast Asian paintings in Singapore. Since then, the two largest auction houses in the world have been actively dealing in Southeast Asian art. But the true pioneer of auctions of Indonesian art is neither Christie's nor Sotheby's.

China predicts win over RI in Sudirman Cup JAKARTA (JP): China predicted its victory over Indonesia at the Sudirman Cup semifinals Friday, coach Liu Yongbo said in Glasgow, Scotland, yesterday. "We didn't pick our rivals in the semifinals. We just thought whoever it is we have to beat them to win the match," Liu told Antara after his team's 3-2 victory. "Our motivation was to beat all rivals and bring home the Sudirman Cup," Liu said.

Leather puppets are lifeblood of Javanese village Text and photos by Tarko Sudiarno YOGYAKARTA (JP): The dawning of the modern age of glitzy consumer goods has not diminished the importance of leather puppets (wayang kulit) as symbols of life for the Javanese. However modern a Javanese may be, the puppets' particular characteristics still serve as guidance in determining the path of his or her life.

Early marriage proposed KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): A prominent opposition Moslem leader has proposed "early marriage" and a reduced dowry to curb promiscuity and negative socializing which Islam forbids, a newspaper reported yesterday. "It's my hope that youths settle down early to avoid aspersions being cast at them ... and that parents lower the dowries for their daughters," said Nik Abdul Aziz, leader of the fundamentalist Moslem Parti Islam (PAS).

Internet users still find service glitches JAKARTA (JP): The popularity of the Internet in Indonesia has stamped it as a new urban phenomenon in the country's major cities. Some subscribe to support their work or education, and others use it just for fun. But as information on the net is uncensored, there is also concern about misuse of this technology, as people may put indecent or offensive materials on the system.

Internet fever grips Indonesian cities The Internet has become a staple of urban living in Indonesia's major cities since its introduction in late 1994. Despite its popularity among those on the information superhighway loop, the number of actual users among Indonesia's 200 million population is very small. The Jakarta Post's team of reporters Meidyatama Suryodiningrat, T. Sima Gunawan, Stevie Emilia, Benget Simbolon, Ridwan M.

A cup of Javanese coffee from the good all days By Sie Yoe Lien BANDUNG (JP): One of Indonesia's finest coffee stores is nestled in downtown Bandung on a noisy, haphazard street lined with stores full of new and not-so-new electronic goods and automotive spare parts. Flanked on either side by stalls stands a plain white art deco bearing a sign identifying it as the Aroma coffee store. Here, the delicious bean is stored, processed and sold in exactly the same way it has for nearly 70 years.

Dozens of skeletons found in Banjarmasin burnt mall JAKARTA (JP): Police said yesterday that fire fighters had found dozens of skeletons inside the Mitra Plaza shopping center in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, that was burnt down in riot Friday. Antara reported the skeletons, suspected to be human, were found in three different heaps inside the Siola Mitra clothes shop on the second floor of the four-story building.

Guess What? Remember Ira Maya Sopha, once a popular actress who gained fame after starring in the Indonesian version of Cinderella in the 1980s? Ira had a terrifying ordeal last Sunday. But, like the character she is most associated with, she displayed her resourcefulness in overcoming adversity. The scene unfolded on a street in Kebayoran Lama district in South Jakarta when she and husband Ari Anto were on their way to watch the singing trio AB Three at the Fashion Cafe in Central Jakarta.

Teguh Karya returns to motherhood theme in TV film By Yenni Kwok JAKARTA (JP): Motherhood appears to be Teguh Karya's fascination. A glance at the 61-year-old filmmaker's distinguished career reveals it as a central theme in several of his movies. His highly acclaimed Ibunda (Mother), for which he received the Indonesian film community's Citra award for best original screenplay, revolves around the matriarch of a Javanese family.

Meeting focuses on importance of textile trade liberalization The International Apparel Federation held its 13th convention in Hong Kong on May 12 and May 13. The Jakarta Post's reporter, Rita A. Widiadana, attended the two-day event at the invitation of the organization's president. HONG KONG (JP): The message sounded loud and clear at the International Apparel Federation (IAF) convention: find effective ways to liberalize the world's textile and clothing industry.

'Tempo' editorial spirit survives on censor-free Internet JAKARTA (JP): Sacred writs of the Internet are that it is free and uncensored. There currently exists no effective means of suppressing information on the system. Because of this the Internet has become a haven for many prohibited, unsanctioned or even banned material not generally available to the public.