Development marches on in Surabaya, 'city of heroes' Text and photos by P.J. Leo SURABAYA (JP): Mention Surabaya, the country's second largest city, and the first thought for many is the heat. This is not just meaningless hot air. Sweltering temperatures are inevitable in a port city built on an alluvial plain. Local administrators even joke about the widely held perception of their city. "It is hot here...

Rain, recession fail to dampen Idul Fitri spirit JAKARTA (JP): A heavy downpour forced many people in Jakarta to hold Idul Fitri prayers indoors instead of outdoors, and delayed many from visiting their relatives Friday. The deep economic recession also forced many people to cut back on how much they spent on the celebration, such as on new clothes for their children and on food.

Clinton's Idul Fitri message WASHINGTON (AP): President Bill Clinton said in his Idul Fitri message that he hoped the United States and Iran would soon be able to enjoy "good relations" once again. "To the people of Iran, I would like to say that the United States regrets the estrangement of our two nations," Clinton said in a message to congratulate Moslems in the United States and all over the world.

46 Indonesians sue after flight school closes BROWNSVILLE, Texas (AP): When Southwind Aviation closed its flight school last week, 46 Indonesian students were left without the education they paid for. The students have since filed a lawsuit in federal court demanding that the school's owner, Robert Harper, pay back the nearly $800,000 they say they paid for tuition and housing.

Countdown begins to MPR sessions One month from today, the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) will open its General Session in Jakarta, its members invested with the imposing task of charting the nation's course for the next five years. The media has been abuzz with speculation about the event, gnawing on questions of presidential and vice presidential elections, and the drafting of the State Policy Guidelines. Yet the public seems removed from this intense anticipation.

Garuda settles out of court with man's family TOKYO (AP): Garuda Indonesia Airways said it has reached an out-of-court settlement on compensation with the family of a man killed in a 1996 plane crash in southwestern Japan. Garuda spokesman Tadahisa Yotsumoto declined to disclose the cash figure on the settlement reached Jan. 9 with the family of Koichi Imamura, 39. But Kyodo news service reported that it was at least 16 million (US$128,000).

Bookstores selling imported works hit by rupiah woes By Monika Winarto JAKARTA (JP): Like other traders, Henky S. is busy adjusting prices of books in line with the fluctuations in the rupiah. They are going up because Kinokunia, located in Sogo shopping center in Central Jakarta, sells imports. A sign posted next to the cash register warns that prices are subject to change without notice.

No red carpet for Assembly members this time round By Ahmad Junaidi JAKARTA (JP): Time was when the 1,000 members of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) were pampered during their stay here for the General Session, held every five years. Two-week accommodation at five-star hotels included carte blanche for minibar, private telephone calls and laundry. These were, after all, the people's representatives invested with the stressful task to prepare and usher in the nation's State Guidelines.

What people say about the MPR General Session JAKARTA (JP): The General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) next month is arguably the most eagerly anticipated in the nation's young history. What does the public think of the MPR and, most importantly, does it hold any weight in its decisions?

The arena for people's politics Zaman Bergerak, Radikalisme Rakyat di Jawa 1912-1926 (An Age in Motion: Popular Radicalism in Java, 1912-1926) By Takashi Shiraishi (Translated into Indonesian by Hilmar Farid Setiadi) Grafiti Pers, 1997 504 pp Rp 31,500 JAKARTA (JP): Foreign experts on Indonesia have focused most of their attention on history over politics, anthropology and other social sciences.

Errata: Ice skating The ice skating rink at Gajah Mada Plaza, not Mega Mall as printed in an article on this page last Sunday, charges Rp 60,000 for five lessons. The entrance fee for ice skating at Gajah Mada Mall, not Taman Anggrek, is Rp 6,000 for the first hour and Rp 2,000 for each additional hours. We regret the error. -- The Editor

Is the gift really in the giving after all? JAKARTA (JP): It's the thought that counts. My mother used this as a telling admonition whenever I turned up my little boy nose at a gift from relatives or friends. She repeated it solemnly when my grandmother sent me a technicolor pair of pants, a kaleidoscope of garish plaid and gingham which no self-respecting 10-year-old would be seen dead in.

Police looking for suspect in Soekarno-Hatta Airport shooting JAKARTA (JP): Police are looking for at least one person involved in a shooting incident at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on Wednesday, an officer said last night. City Police spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said his office was trying to collect more information to help clarify the incident. "We have questioned some eyewitnesses. But we still need more information on the case," he told The Jakarta Post.

Sense of art flows in Wianta's heart By Putu Wirata DENPASAR (JP): "I work all the time. My artistic creativity never goes on holiday," seems to be Made Wianta's motto. The exhibition of his work, In the Cycle of Time, on display at the Museum der Kulture in Basel, Switzerland, until March, is a clear manifestation of this. The invitation to hold the exhibition came from Urs Ramseyer, a Swiss art curator who lives in Sidemen, a small village in Karangasem, East Bali.

TV today TVRI 6:45 a.m. Religious Teachings: Hikmah Pagi 7:15 Healthy and Fit 7:30 Children's Program: Arena Kami 9:00 People and Event 9:30 Food: Masakan Indonesia 10:00 TVRI News 10:30 Music: Album Minggu 11:30 Teenager's Program: Temu Remaja 12:15 p.m.