Chocolate mosque is feast for the eyes, not palate By Monika Winarto JAKARTA (JP): Chocoholics be warned. The delectable food has been carved into the shape of a mosque for this Ramadhan, and the model now graces the lobby of the Shangri-La Hotel in Central Jakarta. Yes, its 2 meters by 2 meters are made entirely from chocolate. But for hygiene concerns alone, chocoholics among us should resist temptation to sample a piece -- already on show from Dec.

Megawati declares readiness for presidency JAKARTA (JP): Megawati Soekarnoputri, ousted leader of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) and daughter of the country's first president Sukarno, declared her readiness to become a presidential candidate and urged incumbent President Soeharto not to go for a seventh consecutive term. "With all sincerity and honesty...

Foot soldiers in the war against poverty Kisah-Kisah IDT, Penuturan 100 Sarjana Pendamping (Stories of the IDT Program, Perspectives of 100 Participating Scholars) Edited by Mubyarto Aditya Media Press Yogyakarta, 1997 Price Rp 22, 500 557 pp. JAKARTA (JP): The national program to confront poverty has at its vanguard Presidential Instruction No. 5/1993, which then became known as the Aid Program to Least Developed Villages, or IDT.

Boxing body wants Prabowo as new chief JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Amateur Boxing Association hopes the Army's Special Forces commandant-general, Maj. Gen. Prabowo Subianto, will become its next chairman. The association's chairman, Poul Toding, said Friday evening during a breaking of the fast gathering at the National Sports Council that Prabowo would be the right person to chair the association.

Monetary crisis From Republika I am very distressed by media reports on the economic crisis. Many experts have spoken on the matter. So far, I have only heard unconvincing opinions. This country had fought for more than 350 years to gain independence. Why cannot we unite to face the assault on the rupiah? Experts speak in a straightforward manner about what measures must be taken to overcome the crisis. This crisis will be hard to overcome if it is not faced with a high spirit of nationalism.

Batik artist Ardianto amasses objects of desire By Dini S. Djalal YOGYAKARTA (JP): Ardianto Pranata is worried. He looks at the object before him, a bright green sculpture sitting on a podium of red bricks, and nervously asks: "Do you think it looks good there? For so long I've been thinking of where it belongs." It's a curious question because in this vast, 6,000-square- meter compound, there are, by Ardianto's own count, 6,000 artworks.

'Sesando', a unique East Nusa Tenggara souvenir By Yakob Herin KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara (JP): Each of the country's 27 provinces has its own uniqueness, not only in customs, but also in the arts and culture. East Nusa Tenggara, for example, is the only place where the sesando is found. The sesando is a musical instrument made of lontar (palm) leaves. Describing the sesando is tantamount to delving into the history of the province's various ethnic groups.

ASEAN masters' works not ruled by uniformity of style By Amir Sidharta KUALA LUMPUR (JP): Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad had a surprise in store when he opened an exhibition of works of ASEAN masters in Selangor in conjunction with the informal 30th ASEAN Summit 1997. Mahathir, in the presence of heads of state and government from the seven member countries, unveiled a small drawing, Amorous Couple, by none other than Thai Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai.

Art community doubtful of govt's commitment By Amir Sidharta and Budiman Moerdijat JAKARTA (JP): The art community and the government have traditionally been uneasy bedfellows. Despite periodical government funding of the arts, their checkered relationship has included the banning of controversial stage performances and literary works. Not surprisingly, many artists are skeptical whether this year's promotion of culture will also extend to freedom of expression.

Ramadhan time for Jakarta Sunday Maghrib 6:17 p.m. Monday Imsak 4:15 a.m. Subuh 4:25 a.m.

'Contact' hits the world beyond with movie magic By Laksmi Pamuntjak-Djohan JAKARTA (JP): Contact, which has been lauded as the year's "thinking man's sci-fi", may have taken some time to arrive at our multiplexes, but it's really worth the wait. Take, for instance, its glorious opening sequence, an eye- popping triumph of special effects. You're on this tour of the universe, and suddenly you sense being pulled back into the depths of space, right past all the planets.

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 Kami 8:00 Brudy and Family 8:30 Cartoon Film 9:00 People and Event 9:30 Talk Show: Disekitar Kita 10:00 TVRI News 10:30 Music: Album Minggu 11:30 Teenager's Program: Temu Remaja 12:15 p.m.

Edi Sedyawati reconciles roles in art and govt By Edith Hartanto JAKARTA (JP): Don't lump Director General of Cultural Affairs Edi Sedyawati among those gray bureaucrats with scant understanding of their field. The 60-year-old professor is an accomplished dancer who continues to perform. Her life maxim -- "Dare to create, live your life to the fullest" -- confirms a willingness to test her artistic boundaries.

Ponorogo spiritualists take young men as 'wives' By Rohmat Kemislegi PONOROGO, East Java (JP): Homosexuality is often considered a phenomenon of modern, urban societies, represented by thriving gay and lesbian communities in cities such as Sydney and San Francisco. But research has shown that same-sex relationships, whether in the berdache of Native American communities, the samurai of ancient Japan or hijra of India, have also been tolerated in some traditional societies.

Will fine arts shine in Year of Art and Culture? By Amir Sidharta JAKARTA (JP): On New Year's Day, President Soeharto designated 1998 as the Year of Art and Culture, placing it in the context of the Visit Indonesia Decade begun in 1993. The arts community was taken unaware as there had been no forewarning. As a result, no major events have been planned by either the public or private sector. Artist Nunung WS expressed the surprise of many.

Now is the right time to buy things JAKARTA (JP): "I need the damn thing," Johan said. "Like you need a bullet between your eyes," I retorted. "Look, you've been bitching about needing money, and now you're throwing the stuff at something you shouldn't even consider buying." It's useless, of course, to tell anyone not to do something, so he went ahead and phoned the dealer. An hour or two later a delivery boy arrived, bent double under a huge box containing a color printer.

The IMF cometh to the region Manuel F. Montes looks at some of the implications of the IMF rescue packages for three Asian countries. SINGAPORE: The International Monetary Fund (IMF), long the bane of import-dependent economies with profligate governments in Latin America and Africa, has come to Asia to help rescue Thailand, Indonesia and South Korea, whose record had helped to secure Asia's reputation of export vigor and conservative economic management.

Spectacular Green Canyon is new stop on tourist trail Text and photos by Sri Lestari CIAMIS, West Java (JP): Fancy a vacation that will help you briefly turn your back on the monetary crisis and also not leave your pockets empty? As a trip abroad is out of the question for most of us due to the rampaging dollar, then why not explore one of the spectacular views that we have here, literally in our backyard? The adventurous should pack their bags and head to the site called Green Canyon.

Art and culture for tourists President Soeharto has declared 1998 the Year of Art and Culture to strengthen the nation's identity and to lure foreign tourists in this time of crisis. The Jakarta Post's reporters Budiman Moerdijat, Devi M. Asmarani, Dwi Atmanta, Edith Hartanto, Stevie Emilia, Oka Budhi Yogaswara, and Meidyatama Suryodiningrat and contributors Rita A. Widiadana and Amir Sidharta look at the meaning of this year's theme. Related stories are on Page 3 and Page 11.

Kindermann beats Yermolinsky By Kristianus Liem JAKARTA (JP): In 1997, for the first time, the World Chess Championship was played according to the knockout formula, based on a series of two-game matches. The time control of that two- game match was 40 moves in 100 minutes, followed by 20 moves in 50 minutes, followed by all moves in 10 minutes. Each player received an extra 30 seconds thinking time after each move played, commencing from the first move.

Hormones found in Yuan's bag an illegal substance PERTH, Australia (AFP): The human growth hormones uncovered in the baggage of Chinese swimmer Yuan Yuan this week were enough to use for the entire Chinese team at the world championship here, U.S. coach Jon Urbanchek said yesterday. Australian Customs confirmed Friday that the substance found in Yuan's baggage at Sydney Airport on Thursday was a prohibited human growth hormone.

Sardono, Jim honored as guardian of Indonesia's arts By Chandra Johan JAKARTA (JP): The year 1997 ended in joy for Indonesians Sardono W. Kusumo and Jim Supangkat. Sardono, a choreographer, dancer and filmmaker, and Jim, an art critic and curator, received Prince Claus Awards from The Prince Claus Fund, a Den Haag-based independent foundation, on Dec. 20. Other award winners came from Latin America and Africa. What were the contributions which qualified them for the awards?

Nine die in Bogor accident BOGOR (JP): Nine people were burned to death and two injured in a head-on collision between a minibus and a minivan on Jl. Raya Bogor in the early hours of yesterday. The casualties were all occupants of the van, which had been hired by the passengers -- traders of the Kramat Jati wholesale market in East Jakarta -- for the last two years.

Welcome oh Ramadhan Marhaban Ya Ramadhan Welcome oh Ramadhan the month of wisdom in which Moslems multiply their devotional actions, exercise the virtue of self-restraint enduring hunger and thirst controlling their temper, amorousness, putting at bay all other passions From dawn to sunset Marhaban Ya Ramadhan In the Koran it was revealed by God Almighty And that historical moment is called Lailatul Qadr the Night of Power. Compared to 1,000 other months, it is still much nobler.

Seven projects shelved again JAKARTA (JP): The government announced last night that it was shelving seven megaprojects and put another eight under review, for the second time in five months. The decision was contained in a decree signed by President Soeharto yesterday, Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono was quoted by Antara as saying. The news agency said Moerdiono phoned it with the story.

Shuttlers decide to give more to association JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's national shuttlers have agreed to double the amount of money they contribute to the Badminton Association of Indonesia in the wake of the rupiah's collapse. "I was really surprised to learn of their decision. I think it will help them boost their fighting spirit and help them all become better-quality players," said the chairman of the Badminton Association of Indonesia, Subagyo Hadisiswoyo, on Friday.