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.

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...

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.

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...

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...

Glimpses of past and present at the Imogiri marketBy 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...

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.

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.

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...

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...

Tourists savor East Kalimantan from the deck of a riverboatBy 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.

Illiteracy, human rights violations loom over capital cityBy 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.

SpotlightPhoto A: WeddingJP/alxHOLY 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...

Book publishers know the high cost of livingBy 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.

Exhibition shows lighter side of legendary painter SudjojonoBy 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...