Annan concerned on E. Timor UNITED NATIONS (Agencies): UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan expressed concern Friday over a reported upsurge in violence in East Timor while Indonesia and Portugal prepared for a new round of talks aimed at resolving the conflict. "The secretary-general has been following with concern the reports of the recent violent incidents in East Timor, which have resulted in the loss of life and are causing considerable human suffering," said a UN statement.

Vacation means hard work for Muhammad Iman JAKARTA (JP): The school holidays will mean hard work for Muhammad Iman, 19, who works until late at night after finishing school each day at SMEA IX Muhammdiyah IX in Kramat Sawah, Central Jakarta. "Vacations do not mean much to me because I do not have any money for holidays," said Iman, the eldest of three children of a 50-year-old tailor living in Paseban, Central Jakarta.

The rosy slant of mainstream RI paintings By Chandra Johan JAKARTA (JP): The late Indonesian art critic Sanento Yuliman described the negative flip side to a commercial art boom. When art enters the world of big business, collectors, patrons and commercial galleries come aboard in droves.

Soeharto celebrates 76th birthday JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto will celebrate today his 76th birthday with his six children, their spouses, 12 grandchildren, one great-grandchild, close relatives and friends at his residence on Jl. Cendana. The private celebration will mark the second birthday in the absence of his wife, First Lady Tien Soeharto, who died on April 28, 1996. The health of the President is excellent and daily tasks are carried out smoothly, officials said.

Peter Mueller is the architect of dream resorts By Dini Djalal MEDANA BAY, Lombok (JP): When Peter Mueller, who built Bali's legendary resorts The Oberoi and The Amandari, is asked about his influence on hotel style in Indonesia, his reply is plain and simple. "I'm just an architect," said Mueller. "If somebody asks me to design a hospital, I'll do it." Humble words for a man whom many in the tourism and resort industry credit for helping raise Bali's reputation as a first- class destination.

Students plan to flee to religious retreats By Deborah Hutauruk JAKARTA (JP): Get away from home, forget the rat race and the material world and become closer to God. This is what many urban high school students want to do, or their parents want them to do -- spend their forthcoming month- long vacation at a religious retreat.

Cleanliness at Senayan Plaza From Kompas Senayan Plaza is one of the most magnificent shopping centers in the capital and opened one and a half years ago. We often shop there because of its strategic location. But Senayan's public facilities such as the toilets lack cleanliness and look disgusting, and toilet paper is often not available. The litter bins are also often filled to the rim and overflowing with rubbish. No doubt, flies like to feast on the old, odorous rubbish.

New virus found in Sarawak KUALA LUMPUR (Reuter): The death toll from a new virus strain in Malaysia's Borneo state of Sarawak has climbed to 19, local newspapers reported on Saturday. Sarawak state director of medical and health services department, Mohammed Taha Arif was quoted by the papers as saying that two more infants succumbed to the Coxsackie B virus on Thursday. He said 29 children were in an isolation ward at the general hospital in Sibu, a coastal town in Sarawak state.

What do parents say about school holidays? JAKARTA (JP): Many parents want their children to continue learning, even during long holidays. But some parents say school holidays should not be used for studies. Diana Nasution, a popular singer with three sons, said: "What do we do on school holidays? For the last few years I have taken my sons to my uncle's house in a fishing village on Bangka island in South Sumatra. We have also taken them to their grandfather's home in Ambon, Maluku.

Indonesian Everest team impresses Apa Sherpa By Rudi Nurcahyo KATHMANDU, Nepal (JP): "I have often worked with foreign teams climbing Mount Everest. With the Indonesian team, however, I found something special that other teams do not have," said Apa Sherpa at the farewell evening in Hotel Ghauri Shankar in Kathmandu. "I have been working with Indonesians for the past six months. It has been a very pleasurable experience. Indonesians are very friendly and helpful," Apa said.

Zarina admitted to hospital JAKARTA (JP): Zarina, the television actress sentenced to four years jail Thursday for storing 29,677 Ecstasy pills, was rushed to hospital a day after the verdict. She was admitted to East Jakarta's Kramatdjati Police Hospital on Friday about 3 a.m. Officers at Pondok Bambu women's correctional center rushed Zarina to the hospital, her lawyer Henry Yosodiningrat said yesterday.

Using school vacation time for introspection By Aloysius Unditu JAKARTA (JP): Arif Rachman is a firm believer that learning does not stop the minute one steps out of the classroom, but is a continual lifetime process. Education can occur at any time and place, says the principal of the state SMU 81 senior high school in Rawamangun, East Jakarta. Arif also uses modern media as a forum to educate. He hosts the daily morning Islamic show Hikmah Fajar on private television station RCTI.

Guess What? May 30 was definitely Armed Forces (ABRI) day for Jayapura Bishop H.F.M. Munninghoff OFM. He attended the ceremony in which Col. Purnawa handed over his duties as the Raja Wira Yakthi military district chief in Jayapura to Col. Y. Samuel. Lt.Col. Koesmayadi, chief of staff of the district military, had invited him by phone the previous day to the ceremony. Later the same day, an infantry captain arrived with a message that his battalion commander, Lt.Col.

Ministry to launch holiday programs JAKARTA (JP): Long school holidays can be a headache for parents, particularly for those with not much money to spare. That is why the Ministry of Education and Culture's holiday programs at its city office are big help. Registration for the upcoming semester holiday programs at the office is expected to attract 50,000 senior high school students.

Film industry 'needs thematic freedom' By Wisnu Pramudya JAKARTA (JP): Fatahillah promises to be one of the finest presents awaiting Jakarta on its 470th anniversary celebration this June 22. The film epic, which premieres on June 11 and goes into city- wide release in Jakarta on June 20, is the work of Chaerul Umam and Imam Tantowi, two of the country's top directors. It tells of Fatahillah, a young ulema in the 16th century who lead the fight to oust the Portuguese from what is today Jakarta.

Guess What? Noted playwright Nano Riantiarno celebrated his 48th birthday last Friday. What is the most precious birthday gift Nano, the founder of Teater Koma, could ask for? "Permits for performing arts. I really expect that the government will loosen its criteria for issuing cultural events permits in Jakarta and other cities in Indonesia," said Nano during a press meeting last Friday at Taman Ismail Marzuki Arts Center.

Supermodel Tamara treads the boards in 'Julius Caesar' By Elisa Tobing JAKARTA (JP): Artists as famous and successful as Tamara Bleszynski rarely deign to perform in theater. With their commercial contracts for TV films, advertisements and appearances, there is usually little reason or time for them to turn their attention to treading the stage boards. In Indonesia, there is the added stigma that theater is considered unprofitable. Big business rarely sponsors theatrical projects.

Cars damaged in collision JAKARTA (JP): Thick smoke from burning grass is believed to have caused yesterday's four-car pileup on Cikampek toll road, West Java. No fatalities were reported in the accident on kilometer 51 of the toll road. Supangat of PT Jasa Marga, the state company which operates the toll road, said two Kijang vans, a sedan and a truck had run into the back of each other at 2:20 p.m. "The drivers probably couldn't see in front of them because of the smoke," Supangat said.

PPP protests against election irregularities JAKARTA (JP): The United Development Party (PPP) strongly protested yesterday the widespread fraud in this year's general election and it was still undecided whether it would accept the final poll result. In its statement, read by party secretary-general Tosari Widjaya, the Moslem-based political party concluded that this year's election "was generally no better than the previous ones".

An unusual pledge From Media Indonesia An article published in Terbit on May 29 quoted an outstanding Moslem ulema as saying that he could capture fugitive Eddy Tansil in 20 days. And if he failed to accomplish his job, he said he would be willing to go to prison. But he would only do that if the government issued an official order for him to do so. This statement is very interesting, if not extraordinary. It is a pity the ulema only revealed his pledge recently.

Jassin hospitalized at RSCM JAKARTA (JP): Literary critic Hans Bague Jassin was admitted to the Cipto Mangun Kusumo General Hospital (RSCM) in Central Jakarta on Friday after a stroke. His sister-in-law, Rina Sudirman, told The Jakarta Post yesterday that Jassin was under close observation after being transferred from the nearby St. Carolus Hospital. "We still hope he will recover though he is now very weak," Rina said. Jassin, 80, was accompanied by his wife, Yuliko, and relatives at RSCM.

Restaurants hold promotion for school vacation JAKARTA (JP): June is probably the best time for family picnics as school vacations arrive in the next few days. The Amigos Restaurants in Jakarta and Cilegon, West Java, is holding a special barbecue promotion until the end of June to celebrate the school vacation. Suwarno, chef of Amigos Restaurant at Setiabudi Building, South Jakarta, has prepared two recipes especially for The Jakarta Post's readers.

Spending school holidays in style With the month-long school holidays just around the corner, many students have been planning to make them unforgettable. But many poor families cannot afford to send their children on holidays; these students will, as usual, stay home to help their parents earn a living. The Jakarta Post's reporters Aloysius Unditu, A. Junaidi, Christiani S.A. Tumelap, Cornelius Purba, Deborah P. Hutauruk, Johannes Simbolon, K.

RI sends 36 athletes to Universiade JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia is sending 36 national athletes, part of the team being groomed for the 19th SEA Games here in October, to compete in six of the 10 events at Universiade in Sicily, Italy, from Aug. 19 to Aug. 31. Indonesia's athletes consist of three gymnasts, eight swimmers, two divers, five track and field athletes, 12 male spikers and six fencers. The country will not compete in soccer, basketball, water polo and tennis.

God willing, please don't confuse us JAKARTA (JP): Insya Allah, the Arabic expression meaning "God willing", is in popular usage in Indonesia. When you ask someone whether he or she can come to dinner, the usual answer is Insya Allah. The idea is sincere enough because nobody is expected to surpass God's will as He decides everything about everyone. Now that's religious submission!

Everything is green and religius in Madura By Dini S. Djalal SAMPANG, Madura (JP): I was half asleep when the ferry arrived at the port town of Kamal, but even in my midnight stupor, I could make out the silver dome and crescent-moon glimmering in the dark. This mosque was the first thing I saw when I arrived in Madura. It was a telling glimpse of what lay ahead. Madura is hardly the only place in Indonesia where piety rules, but the Madurese religious zeal is truly intense.

Reaching Everst peak from the north remains a dream By Rudi Nurcahyo KATHMANDU, Nepal (JP): Sgt. Sunardi, chief privates Tarmudi and Gunawan "Ogun" Ahmad left the last camp at an altitude of 8,300 meters. The summit of Mount Everest was clearly visible. It boosted to the climbers' conviction that they could reach the top. The weather was friendly. Chief guide Dawa Tashi Serpa took the lead and opened the track.

America regrets Indonesia's decision on F-16s WASHINGTON (Agencies): The United States expressed regret Friday over Indonesia's decision to drop its plan to purchase nine F-16 fighter planes, but agreed that bilateral cooperation on other issues should continue. "It is, of course, a decision that Indonesia had to make on its own," State Department spokesman Nicholas Burns said.

ASEAN membership defended SINGAPORE (AFP): ASEAN has not reached a stage where the principle of human rights can dictate membership in the regional club, Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong said in remarks released here yesterday. The remarks were made in an interview with Philippine journalists a day before ASEAN on May 31 decided to admit Myanmar ignoring western pressure to keep it out over alleged human rights abuses by the Rangoon junta.

A quizzical view of Bali's mystique Bali: Cultural Tourism and Touristic Culture By Michel Picard Archipelago Press, Singapore 1996, 231 pp. JAKARTA (JP): Bali's wondrous culture and the fawning attention paid it by outsiders have been both boon and bane. Venerated as the ultimate cultural object of desire and scrutinized by anthropology's leading lights such as Margaret Mead and Ruth Benedict, Bali is today the exotic wanderlust for thousands of tourists from distant shores.

Below the Baliem sky The two lofty mountains standing between a vast field in this Baliem valley of Irian Jaya are so beautiful because they look like huge women's breasts. New visitors to this central highland will find the view fantastic. A cool wind sweeps this idyllic and peaceful valley everyday. But to the local Dani tribe, who still live in the Stone Age, the landscape is nothing more than a daily reality. Many tribal people now feel that their life is boring.