Country's poultry farmers on the verge of bankruptcy By Sylvia Gratia M. Nirang JAKARTA (JP): A sharp increase in feed meal prices could see the chicken being added to the list of endangered animals. The chairman of the Association of Indonesian Poultry Producers, Alie Aboebakar, said skyrocketing prices of feed meal had forced at least 80 percent of the country's poultry farmers to suspend operations.

Writer Rosidi devotes life to 'serious' literature By Mulyo Sanyoto JAKARTA (ANTARA): Writer Ajip Rosidi celebrated his 60th birthday on Jan. 31, perhaps content in the knowledge he has done much to enrich national and regional literary wealth. Born in Jatiwangi, Cirebon, West Java, Rosidi was only 14 when he had his first poems published in then leading publications of Mimbar Indonesia, Gelanggang,Siasat and Indonesia cultural magazine.

Tales of two batik museums in Yogyakarta By Tedy Novan and LN Idayanie YOGYAKARTA (JP): Among issues discussed at the International Conference on Culture and Tourism (ICCT) here last November was the lack of a fitting batik museum, a huge irony in the most famed home of the textile. A privately owned batik museum in Yogyakarta is in a poor state, its business frayed by dearth of funds and few visitors. Fortunately, a museum living up to requirements opened during the ICCT conference.

Migrant who made good remembers those back home By Tedy Novan YOGYAKARTA (JP): Few would guess from Suparjo's simple, inexpensive clothes that he is a successful businessman in the capital. He is a native of Jeruk Gulung hamlet in the Gedangsari subdistrict of Gunungkidul, a corner of Yogyakarta province and one of the nation's poorest areas. He once carried a sickle and a hoe, toiled in his parents' small, unirrigated rice field and rode an old bicycle.

The depression of the 1930s Present circumstances remind me of the great depression of the 1930s. My father, who had grandiose ideas, attempted to live beyond his means. I was a child of six attending the Dutch elementary school. I lived in a boarding house with my brother in the city of Madiun in East Java.

What people say about all the migrants JAKARTA (JP): This is a city of hope and challenge for many, an arena to try their luck in the great adventure of life. They come from all corners of the country in search of opportunities, jobs and a better life, both for them and their families back in the provinces. Migrants add to the city's colorful ethnic mosaic, but also compete with native Jakartans (Betawi) and long-settled residents for jobs.

APEC: Evolution, consolidation and diversity Andrew Elek assesses the Vancouver meetings. The November 1997 meetings of APEC ministers and leaders in Vancouver marked yet another positive stage in the evolution of the APEC process. They took place in the midst of a serious short-term financial crisis affecting several East Asian economies.

Marcos to run for president MANILA (AFP): Imelda Marcos, who has been convicted on graft and faces 12 years in jail, said yesterday she will run for president of the Philippines in the May 11 elections to "bring back dignity, decency and leadership" to the office. The widow of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos said she owed it to "God country and people" to seek the nation's highest office.

EU, ASEAN and politics of exclusion For the EU the issue of the exclusion of Myanmar from EU-Asean forums is not likely to go away, says Michael Leifer. EVER since the end of the Cold War, the relationship between the EU and ASEAN has been troubled by a tension over human rights. That tension has been registered most explicitly over how to deal with the unelected military regime in Yangon.

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 Environment: Pemanfaatan Limbah 10:00 TVRI News 10:30 Music: Album Minggu 11:30 Teenager's Program: Temu Remaja 12:15 p.m.

Hometown ties attract provincial migrants to certain jobs JAKARTA (JP): Hundreds of thousands of people from many ethnic groups across the country come to Jakarta to try their luck every year. They meet, mingle and cooperate with each other. Nevertheless, primordial ties such as ethnicity, blood, and origin, still count in many sectors of life, including finding jobs in the informal sector.

Influx of migrants a headache for the city administration By Ida Indawati Khouw JAKARTA (JP): The manic frenzy of the annual Idul Fitri exodus left behind it a pool of calm which will be finally shattered with most returning Jakartans expected back today. The city administration says more than 2.85 million people left Jakarta for Lebaran this year and they are expected to follow the annual trend and return with some 300,000 friends or relatives in tow.

ABRI to take harsh action against rioters JAKARTA (JP): Armed Forces (ABRI) Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung told security personnel yesterday to take harsh measures against anyone attempting to disrupt next month's general session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR). Feisal, however, advised them only to use "repressive means" as a last resort and after gentle persuasion had failed to quell any disturbance.

Are we a selfish people in decline? JAKARTA (JP): One afternoon, my friend Joko arrived with a troubled look on his face. "Do you know Lifebuoy soap is Rp 950 now? It was only Rp 450 before," he said. "My God, I think one day I will have to bathe by rubbing my body with a stone!" I laughed and then teased him. "Come on, you should be ashamed because I can smell you from miles away. Admit it -- you haven't had a bath today?" "Ya!" he laughed, also joking. "What can I do?

Yogyakarta a hotbed for artistic talent By R. Fadjri YOGYAKARTA (JP): The passage of time can soften the most rigid of opinions. A magazine recently published a photograph of painter Hardi in front of his work, Jendralnya Jendral (The General of Generals), clearly an admiring portrait of President Soeharto, the nation's ruler for 30 years. What a contrast to October 1979, when Hardi showed his impatience for a new leader in Kandidat President Tahun 2001 (Presidential Candidate for 2001).

Paris battle pits matrons and artists By Jon Henley PARIS: In the blue corner, the matrons of Montmartre: tailored twinsets, refined accents, demure but determined defenders of what should be the most romantic corner of Paris. In the red, the souvenir shop owners, restaurateurs and street artists who preside over the tackiest of the capital's tourist traps.

Riot over food price increases hits Bima JAKARTA (JP): Mobs protesting dramatic increases in the prices of essential commodities attacked shops in Bima, West Nusa Tenggara, yesterday, police said. Capt. Bokran of Bima Police told The Jakarta Post by telephone that the violence began at about 9:30 a.m. and sporadic stone throwing at shops continued in the evening. "The target was shops belonging to 'fair-skinned people' and none of those belonging to the indigenous were attacked," he said.

Wynne cruises into Wellington final JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's young tennis hopeful Wynne Prakusya cruises to the Wellington Women's International Tournament finals today. The 16-year-old Wynne, who also made it into the junior Australian Open grand slam final last week, defeated Australian Lechia Trewick 6-3, 6-3 yesterday. Wynne, fourth seeded at the tournament, will meet second seed Rewa Hudson of New Zealand in today's final.

Myanmar's bid to join regional groups Myanmar needs to do more if it hopes to gain membership in other regional groupings. By Ahmed M. Khalid REGIONAL integration is advancing rapidly in Asia as a result of both market forces and government policies. The successful experience of some of the Southeast Asian countries of cooperation in ASEAN has further enhanced the prospects for closer regional cooperation. Myanmar too is eager to be part of regional networks.

Food prices Despite the government's assurance of adequate stocks of basic commodities, prices in the shops continue to rise. It is unclear who is profiteering from the situation, but what is clear is that the poorest level of society will suffer the most. I would like to suggest that the main distributors, supermarkets or chain stores set a good example by pegging the prices of basic commodities such as rice, oil, sugar, kerosene, soybean curd and soybean cake, preferably at 1997 levels.

53 injured in West Java express train accident PURWAKARTA, West Java (JP): Seven people were seriously hurt and 46 others suffered minor injuries when a Jakarta-Bandung express train collided head-on with a waiting train near the small Sadang railway station yesterday morning. It is not yet known what caused the accident.

Loek van Wely advances to 5th round By Kristianus Liem This is the fifth in series of six articles on the World Chess Championships held in Groningen, the Netherlands, in December last year. JAKARTA (JP): Grandmaster Loek van Wely became the only Dutch player to advance to round five (in the best of eight) of the FIDE World Championship knock-out tournament in Groningen, the Netherlands, Dec. 8 to Dec.

No one asks you to come to Jakarta Jakarta has long attracted people from all over Indonesia with promises of a better life. Many have made it, but many others had their dreams shattered by the harsh reality of life in a big city. The Jakarta Post's team -- IGGP Bayu Ismoyo, Ida Indawati Khouw, Johannes Simbolon, Lukman Natanegara, Primastuti Handayani, Sylvia Gratia M.