Exhibition shows lighter side of legendary painter Sudjojono By Chandra Johan JAKARTA (JP): The history of modern Indonesian painting has always placed the name Sindudarsono Sudjojono in its forefront. Constantly portrayed in the context of significant milestones such as his revolt against the tradition of the Mooi Indie (Beautiful Indies) esthetics and the bourgeois social system at that time, Sudjojono's name is a legend to many.

Book publishers know the high cost of living By R. Masri Sareb Putra JAKARTA (JP): Add the book publishing industry to the long list of businesses battered in this crisis. The price of paper, most of which is imported, increased in July last year when the exchange rate of the rupiah against the U.S. dollar started on its upward trend. This also triggered a steep increase in book prices. Last December, the paper used as the raw material for books cost Rp 2,000 a kilogram.

Spotlight Photo A: Wedding JP/alx HOLY UNION: President Soeharto and Vice President B.J. Habibie witness the marriage vows of Gumiwang Kartasasmita (second from left), son of Coordinating Minister for Economy, Finance and Industry Ginandjar Kartasasmita, and Loemongga Nan Sanggoel Haoemasan Hamonangan Nst. Yesterday's ceremony was held at the Baiturrahman mosque in the House of Representatives complex in Senayan, Central Jakarta.

Illiteracy, human rights violations loom over capital city By Yogita Tahil Ramani JAKARTA (JP): They say that charity begins at home, and yet only a few Jakartans, enlightened to the hardships suffered in far-flung parts of Indonesia, may be aware of the poverty and suffering on their own doorstep. Scarcity of clean water and land, poor children's health care, illiteracy and human rights violations dog the capital city's underclass every day of the year. The Islamic Day of Sacrifice fell on Apr.

Tourists savor East Kalimantan from the deck of a riverboat By Antoni Tambunan BALIKPAPAN, East Kalimantan (JP): The charm of Mahakam River has remained East Kalimantan's prime tourist attraction that local travel bureaus have been selling abroad. A week is not enough to travel along the 720-kilometer-long, one-kilometer-wide river.

The sobering reality of turning 50 JAKARTA (JP): When I turned 50 some months ago, two fundamental truths dawned on me. First, I realized that I was not getting any younger. It may seem so obvious, and so trite to those still in their infancy, but it is a major revelation to those of us embarking upon our golden years. There are two kinds of people over 50. Those who accept the obvious, that is, their age, and those who do not.

RI haj pilgrims set off for home today JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian haj pilgrims will begin their journey home today, leaving behind the arduous religious rites but taking with them sadness over 118 deaths, including two Indonesians, in a stampede in Mina, near the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, on Thursday. The first arrivals are expected to land at Jakarta's Halim Perdanakusuma airport at 6 a.m.

Nugie to release new album soon JAKARTA (JP): Ask environment buff/rock star, Agustinus Gusti Nugroho, alias Nugie, why he smokes and he will shrug it off. Compared to vehicle emissions and global warming, he said, "personal habits... should not be hassled about." Following his recent breakup with his girlfriend, Nugie, 27, has yet to complete his much-postponed, much-publicized album, Udara (Air). The star said the album was due out in May and would feature 10 songs.

U.S. envoy urges Malaysia to involve UN on migrants KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): The United States yesterday urged Malaysia to allow the UN refugee agency to assess immigrants' claims for political asylum as eight Indonesians fearing deportation remained inside the U.S. embassy. U.S. ambassador to Malaysia John Malott met Foreign Ministry officials the day after the Indonesians climbed over the embassy wall to seek diplomatic protection.

Glimpses of past and present at the Imogiri market By Angger Jati Wijaya and Gin Kurniawan YOGYAKARTA (JP): Words pale before the beauty of a dusky evening at Imogiri market in Bantul. It is as though the nuances of times long past return as the kerosene lamps are lit, sending out their dim illumination. The traditional market is located some 30 km southeast of here. Geographically, it is situated on the fertile mountain foot, flanked by the Opak and the Oya, two rivers that flow all year round.

The use of English The series of articles in The Jakarta Post of April 5 about the use of English in Indonesian schools and institutions was quite interesting. Former minister (of education and culture) Wardiman Djojonegoro's decree to finally allow English to officially enter our education system was courageous. Like it or not, English is the language of business, diplomacy and science.

In pursuit of religious understanding Islam Inklusif (Inclusive Islam); By Alwi Shihab; xii + 384 pages; Rp 19,500; Mizan Publishing House, Bandung, 1997; in cooperation with ANteve JAKARTA (JP): This book can be considered a follow-up to the Islamic-Christian International Conference, held in Jakarta on Aug. 7- Aug. 9 last year, because Alwi Shihab was a member of its steering committee.

British Council's scholarships JAKARTA (JP): The British Council has provided a total of US$1.5 million to finance scholarships for at least 200 Indonesian students, its Jakarta director Neil Kemp said recently. The scholarships were for undergraduate, postgraduate and research studies across 37 British universities, Antara quoted Kemp as saying. Kemp said the British Council has granted 400 scholarships, worth more than US$ 2.5 million, to Indonesian students up to September 1997.

Chinese minister arrives here JAKARTA (Reuters): Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan arrived in Indonesia yesterday for a three-day working visit as part of his first solo trip abroad. Tang is due to meet with his Indonesian counterpart Ali Alatas for talks this afternoon before an audience with President Suharto on Monday morning. Tang made no comment on his arrival at Jakarta's Soekarno- Hatta airport. Chinese officials only said the visit will be of a "working" nature.

Guess What? Koes Plus The economic crisis is an inspiration to Koes Plus. This veteran band has just recorded Isu Jalanan (The Street Rumors), which was written by group member Yon Koeswoyo after he saw panicked housewives rushing to buy rice due to rumors of shortages. "My creation is always a true story or is triggered by something that bothers me," he said.