Cash crunch cuts into MPR perks JAKARTA (JP): Billions of rupiah are being shelled out for the Special Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), even as Jakartans struggle to cope with the economic crisis and steel themselves for possible unrest. Are there are perks and freebies left for the nation's chosen few in these straitened times? "Oh yes, there is a free massage service," said Afif Ma'roef, secretary-general of the Assembly (MPR)/House of Representatives (DPR).

MPR special session will dig into meaty issues By Ridwan Max Sidjabat JAKARTA (JP): Clean government. The presence of Armed Forces representatives at legislative bodies. Limitation to presidential terms. Those are among the issues that will be deliberated at the Special Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) on Nov. 10-13. They are the benchmark with which the public will judge the body's seriousness in campaigning for reform, and also the most likely to cause fierce debates.

Taufik shines as teammates flop JAKARTA (JP): Taufik Halay won his final game to become the only Indonesian player to enter the top 10 at the World Age Group Chess Championships in Oropesa Del Mar, Spain on Friday. Playing in the Under-12 division, Taufik beat Wu Kay Yu of China on the 38th move to put himself in a six-way tie for fourth place on 7.5 points.

IMF approves $960m loan for Indonesia WASHINGTON (Reuters): The International Monetary Fund approved on Friday a $960 million loan payment to Indonesia from a global rescue package and urged the government to speed the pace of banking reform and debt restructuring. The IMF said its executive board approved the payment from a $42-billion-plus international package arranged by the Washington-based lending agency in November 1997.

Noegroho prepares for long haul By Edith Hartanto JAKARTA (JP): As security is stepped up for the People's Consultative Assembly's Special Session which begins Tuesday, there is already controversy over whether preparations have gone too far. Police and Assembly officials have denied installing an electrified barb wire fence on the Assembly grounds in Central Jakarta, while the deployment of civilian volunteers dressed in military-like uniforms has also drawn criticism.

Work is thin on the ground for local models By Agni Amorita JAKARTA (JP): Three years ago, 15-year-old Tracy Trinita won the first Elite Model Indonesia Contest. She was sent to Seoul to take part in a World Elite Model contest run by the international modeling agency. Although she was required to wear a swimsuit -- banned by the government in local contests -- Tracy draped a short shawl around her waist. The 180-centimeter-tall junior high school student was selected among the 15 finalists.

Peter Weir's 'The Truman Show': How is it going to end? By Rayya Makarim JAKARTA (JP): After a five-year hiatus, Peter Weir (The Year of Living Dangerously, Dead Poet's Society, Witness, Green Card) is back with his latest masterpiece. The concept of The Truman Show is built around a fundamental secret -- a conspiracy, if you will. So, if by some good chance you don't know about it, stop reading now, and start queuing for the next available screening at your local theater.

Retired models find jobs to fall back on JAKARTA (JP): Fashion models do not shine forever. Top model Cindy Crawford, 32, for example, had to return from Paris to the U.S. and become a film actress, playing opposite Billy Baldwin in Fair Game. Naomi Campbell, 27, is trying her luck at becoming a singer and novelist. Two years ago she wrote Swan and has recently finished her second book.

Dewi, Marwah and Miriam on MPR Special Session JAKARTA (JP): Presidential spokeswoman Dewi Fortuna Anwar, Golkar legislator Marwah Daud Ibrahim and political professor Miriam Budiardjo may have different views about what justifies the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Special Session. However, the three intellectuals shared the same hope that the session would herald an improvement in the political situation. Dewi Fortuna Anwar said it was President B.J.

G7 asked to set pace for reforms in Asia-Pacific talks KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Senior Asia-Pacific central bank and finance officials held talks Saturday on adopting reforms to eject their economies out of crisis with a call to the G-7 to keep its promise of regulating global finance.

Tension clouds MPR session JAKARTA (JP): One Jakarta resident said she has warned most of her relatives here to stay at home throughout the Special Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) from Nov. 10 through Nov. 13 because she is afraid of unrest.

Guess What? Foes and fairweather friends alike have sharpened their claws and ripped into Soeharto since his unceremonious fall from power. But if discretion really is the better part of valor, then Soeharto's longtime translator Widodo Sutyo might be considered an honorable figure by some. Literally Soeharto's righthand man during the former leader's meetings with foreign diplomats, Widodo has always refused to dish the dirt on his role as the "man in the middle".

Habibie saddened by violence JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie expressed his sadness on Saturday over the recent outburst of violence in several regions of the country, including Banyuwangi in East Java which has borne witness to more than 100 killings recently. The President said the recent brutalities were a cause for sorrow because they had victimized many innocent people, including local Moslem leaders.

Do MPR members really represent the people? JAKARTA (JP): Despite the presence of many new faces, the big question mark looming large over the Special Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) is whether it will really voice the people's aspirations. Opposition politicians, students and many members of the public believe that the Assembly -- crammed with people who gained their political clout in the New Order regime -- will only serve the interests of Soeharto's successor, B.J.

Promoting democratic politics in RI Menggugat Politik Order Baru; (Indictment of the New Order Politics); By Syamsuddin Haris; Pustaka Utama Grafiti, Jakarta, 1998; xii + 348 pages JAKARTA (JP): Many were caught by surprise when a hurricane of economic crisis suddenly swept through and destroyed the economy that we had boasted of for many years. Lulled by our great economic development, we suddenly found ourselves amid virtual economic bankruptcy.

S'pore boy admits to raping maid SINGAPORE (AFP): A 14-year-old Singaporean has admitted raping his family's 15-year-old Indonesian maid after getting her drunk on premium cognac, the Straits Times reported Saturday. The boy admitted in a High Court hearing Friday he gave the maid a cup of cognac to drink one night last January, which knocked her out, the newspaper said.

Experience with theft and 'bureaucrazy' JAKARTA (JP): Sometimes it is true what you read in the newspapers. Like for instance those recent warnings about petty theft being on the increase. Last Monday night, when returning from a dinner with some guests that were staying at our house, we found our place rocked by some nasty robbery which had messed up the entire place, smashed two doors and got off with, amongst other things, the guests' wallet and cash.

Swirling watercolors 'To Indonesia With Love' JAKARTA (JP): Artistic illustration has been predominantly in watercolors in both Eastern and Western countries for years but in Indonesia appreciation of the medium is still crawling along at a snail's pace among both artists and art lovers. However, a watercolor exhibition being staged by Benny Setiawan and his protege Sasya Tranggono Hilman at Hotel Aryaduta through Nov.

RP wants U.S. military presence MANILA (AFP): Philippine Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado Saturday pushed for a strong U.S. military presence in the country amid a row with China over the disputed Spratly islands in the South China Sea. The Senate should ratify a visiting forces agreement (VFA) with Washington that would pave the way for joint military exercises, Mercado said. He said sectors opposing the pact should put national interests first, noting that a U.S.

TV today TVRI 6:00 a.m. News: Sari Berita Sepekan 6:30 Morning Focus 6:45 Healthy and Fresh 7:00 Religious Teachings: Hikmah Pagi 7:30 Children's Program: Arena 123 8:00 Children's Program: Kumbang and Family 8:30 Children's Program: Nuansa Anak 9:00 Music 9:30 Creative Program: Widya Wahana 10:00 Skill Program 10:30 Music 11:30 Talk Show: Bincang-Bincang 12:15 p.m.

Rectors back students' push for reform BANDUNG (JP): State and private university rectors, declaring their allegiance would always remain with their students, gave their stamp of approval on Saturday to student activists' crusade for reform. A gathering of 159 rectors and administrators issued a five- point declaration which included an entreaty to the Armed Forces (ABRI) to protect students putting on the line their "moral and intellectual force" for sustainable reform.

Spotlight Photo E: Majapahit Hotel Majapahit Mandarin Oriental Surabaya HISTORIC HOTEL: Minister of Education and Culture Juwono Sudarsono (center) drops by at Hotel Majapahit Mandarin Oriental during his recent visit to Surabaya. Welcoming the minister was Bradford Zak (left), general manager of the historic hotel which is registered as a national heritage site.

Ancient 'reog' dance retains popularity in E. Java By Text and photos by Widyarto SURABAYA (JP): A reog mask dance is not only an art performance but also a historical legacy now taking on a strong role in nurturing the religiosity and sociopolitical awareness of the Javanese communities. In a reog dance, the plot of the dance story is fully intertwined with a harmonious blend of movement, sound and costume.

Court rejects Sukma's appeal KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): The Malaysian High Court Saturday threw out a plea by the adopted brother of Anwar Ibrahim to overturn a jail sentence imposed for committing homosexual acts with the ousted deputy premier. Lawyers of Sukma Darmawan Sasmita Atmadja, an Indonesian-born interior designer, had filed a special application for habeas corpus arguing his conviction and six-month jail term were unlawful.