Singapore sets sights on becoming global city of arts Singapore is out to show the world that it boasts more than just shopping centers. The Jakarta Post's reporter T. Sima Gunawan sampled the island state's cultural offerings recently at the invitation of the Singapore Tourist Promotion Board. SINGAPORE (JP): Shopping may be the best known tourist attraction in Singapore, but you are mistaken if you think it is the only interesting thing to do in this country. Some examples.

French fashion parade keeps reputation afloat By Dini S. Djalal JAKARTA (JP): For the last nine months, magazines and newspapers have devoted copious pages to the travails of Le Malaise Francais. That's in reference to the French living in France constantly complaining of their land's economic problems, be it 12 percent unemployment, perpetual labor strikes or the European Union's demands for increased trade liberalization.

'Cak Seni Rupa' fuses painting and theater By Putu Wirata DENPASAR, Bali (JP): The arena was brightly lit. But the illumination enhancing the Latta Mahosadi Museum's front yard was not from mere lights. Gods, sounds, dance and shrieking color filled the evening with chutzpah -- the Nyoman Erawan trademark. Nyoman Erawan's creative emanation began with a bang as countless color-filled earthenware had their ropes loosened and crashed from a 10-meter drop.

Nation's coming of age I am writing in reference to the much-awaited event -- the commemoration of 52 years of our Indonesian Republic. History evidences its striding into the 52nd year of independence, but the years taken to commemorate this event have done little to enhance maturity of the Indonesian Republic. The nation solemnly declares having built a democracy and establishing good lives for the multitude.

Press industry faces tough competition Profits in the Indonesian press industry in Indonesia are increasing to such an extent that several non-media conglomerates were attracted to muscle their way into it. The Jakarta Post's team of reporters Johannes Simbolon, Christiani A. Tumelap, Aloysius Unditu, K. Basrie, Kornelius Purba, and Lukman Natanegara delved into the issue. A related story is on page 9.

From fighting press to money controlled media today By Christianto Wibisono JAKARTA (JP): The growth of the business, development and industrial press sectors has been a popular discussion topic since the mid-1980s. Splashy entries by several business tycoons into the usually politicized media scene stimulated heavy debate on the role, function and ramifications of a money-controlled press. Analysts quickly sounded off on the risk of information bias and conflict of interest.

RI teams reach final of beach volleyball JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's three men's teams and two women's teams reached the final round of the Asian Tour Beach Volleyball championships at the Senayan Sport Center yesterday. The country's first team of Nurmufid and Markoji will meet compatriots Irilkun and Agus, who make up team two, while Anjas and Iwan in team three will face New Zealand's Hamilton brothers.

Printed media publication and circulation nationwide PROVINCE POPULATION DAILY WEEKLY BI- MONTHLY CIRCU- (1995) WEEKLY LATION ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Aceh 3,847,583 2 1 -- 1 35,776 North Sumatera 11,114,667 8 4 1 2 475,105 West Sumatera 4,323,170 3 1 -- 1 124,500 Riau 3,900,534 1 1 -- -- 39,150 Jambi 2,369,959 1 2 -- -- 12,000 Bengkulu 1,409,117 1 -- -- -- 4,055 South Sumatera 7,207,545 3 3 -- -- 97,332 Lampung 6,657,759 1 1 -- -- 46,335 Jakarta...

Internet rental service taps into growing need By Tedy Novan YOGYAKARTA (JP): The young woman gleefully tapped away on the keyboard, her eyes dancing in unison to the developments on the screen. "I've got another friend," Tarida shouted over her shoulder to her colleague busy on an adjacent computer. There is no shortage of customers at the eight public venues for accessing the Internet in this thriving university city.

Beijing and Pyongyang toast their friendly relations BEIJING (AP): China and North Korea toasted their longtime alliance with parties marking the 36th anniversary of a treaty between the socialist neighbors, official reports said yesterday. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, China has been North Korea's principal ally, providing shipments of weapons, food and fuel to its increasingly impoverished and isolated neighbor.

Fancy-fingered Fariz FM flies back on stage in style By Achmad Nurhoeri JAKARTA (JP): After trailing through the glittering forest of artificial artists who seem to care more for fame and fortune than for creating art ... puddling in the mud of foreign artists who are mostly big on image and not on musical expertise ...

'In-Dangdut' on TPI From Merdeka Being a dangdut-music buff, I never miss a show of In-Dangdut, televised on TPI. It would be nice if the show was more selective about the music it played. Another concern is Peggy Melati hosting the show alone. Earlier she was accompanied by Mamiek Prakoso or another host, and it was exciting to watch the show. Regarding the songs, please do not air too many weeping ones, unless they are quality music.

Soeharto vows to boost cooperatives JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto pledged yesterday to promote cooperatives as one of the main pillars of the country's economy. The President, quoting the Constitution, said the development of cooperatives was absolutely necessary to improve the welfare of the people. He dismissed criticism that cooperatives would not be able to compete with the private sector in a tightly competitive world economy.

An expert's eye on problems, prospects for domestic politics Leadership and Culture in Indonesian Politics By R. William Liddle Allen and Unwin Pty Ltd., NSW, Australia. 314 pages Rp 40,000 JAKARTA (JP): R. William Liddle is no stranger to students of Indonesian politics. He is one of several well-known foreign political scientists whose main research interest is the Indonesian political system.

George Lucas' marketing empire strikes back By Dini S. Djalal JAKARTA (JP): A funny thing happened on the way to the movie theater. Headed to see Star Wars, we were stopped in our tracks by an elaborate spaceship. Kids stood with glazed eyes around this shopping mall Death Star. Onstage, actors mimicked the scenes on the screen behind. We, too, were soon hypnotized by the lightsaber noise, and skipped watching the film in the theater.

Paragita Choir makes its mark in choral performances By Gus Kairupan JAKARTA (JP): What's a choir? A musical instrument, that's what. Of course it differs from a piano, say, or a violin, tuba, marimba or even a collection of all of them put together. But a choir functions just like those instruments, i.e. making music.

Not all greener pastures for female overseas workers By Becky Mowbray PONOROGO, EAST JAVA (JP): Just about everything except economic opportunity grows in the fertile highlands above Ponorogo's villages. Many local women seek greener pastures in the kitchens and broom closets of Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong. They are among some 900,000 Indonesians, 70 to 80 percent of them women, who work in mainly unskilled jobs overseas.

TV today TVRI 6:00 a.m. TVRI News 6:25 Morning News 6:45 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 TV Drama: Disekitar Kita 10:00 TVRI News 10:30 Music: Album Minggu Kita 11:30 People and Events 12:15 p.m.

A beef with greasy burgers and chocolate JAKARTA (JP): I recently took two nephews to one of those hamburger joints in town. Not because I'm the kind of doting uncle who will do anything for the offspring of a collection of sisters and brothers, but because I'd been asked to sort of baby- sit for an hour or two. They don't really need to be baby-sat, what with one of them being 15 and the other about two years younger.

Former foreign workers become village misfits JAKARTA (JP): Families and village life are likely to change as more women leave for foreign lands in search of work, sociologists say. Many women become more independent, assertive and self- confident after leaving village life behind. Rianto Adi, a researcher at Atma Jaya University studying women who worked in Saudi Arabia, said these workers balk at returning to the same roles they had before they left.

Guess What? Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono refused to utter goodbye during his final meeting with the House of Representatives. "I prefer saying 'hope to see you again', although I may not enjoy another lively discussion in the House," Moerdiono said in his farewell speech before House legislators in charge of home affairs on Wednesday. "I have spent a lot of good times with you all for the past five years, but we abide by the constitutional agenda.

England wins its first ever European Team Championships By Kristianus Liem JAKARTA (JP): England for the first time won the 11th European Team Championship which was held at Pula, a well-known resort on the Adriatic Coast, Croatia, in May. Thirty-four teams from 33 countries took part in the men's event. The first part of the tournament was dominated by host Croatia, owing to the good performance of GMs Kozul and Palac.

Indonesia trails Italy in Fed Cup tennis tie By Bruce Emond JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's young Fed Cup team put up a brave fight yesterday but still lost both singles matches to Italy at Senayan tennis court, Central Jakarta. The Indonesians will now have to take both reverse singles matches and the decisive doubles today to win the World Group Two playoff tie. Matches begin at 10 a.m.

Print media network in Indonesia Jawa Pos Newspapers (19): Jawa Pos, Manado Post, Akcaya, Riau Post, Sumatra Expres, Suara Indonesia, Cendrawasih Post, Suara Maluku, Mercusuar, Karya Dharma, Memorandum, Suara Nusa, Manuntung, Independent, Kalteng Pos, Semarak, Merdeka, Media Kita. Magazines (2): Liberty, Putera Harapan Tabloids (5): Nyata, Kompetisi, Kompu-Tek, Agrobis, Jawa Anyar.