Soeharto to reshuffle cabinet: Harmoko JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto told leaders of the House of Representatives (DPR) yesterday that he would soon reshuffle his two-month-old cabinet. "Since we need a strong and dependable cabinet, the President decided to change and reshuffle the cabinet," House Speaker Harmoko quoted the President as saying in their meeting at Soeharto's Jl. Cendana residence.

Popular 'Si Doel' goes prime time By Antariksawan Jusuf JAKARTA (JP): When private TV station RCTI declared the prime- time Saturday slot to be "Si Doel Night", it sent a chill through the hearts of programmers at competing stations. What is the secret of the highly successful Si Doel Anak Sekolahan (Doel The Graduate), which started its fourth season on Saturday, April 18? Simply put, it is due to its popularity in the ratings in the past.

Intellectuals unbudging on change Kapan Badai Akan Berlalu? Suara-suara kritis cendekiawan menghendaki perubahan (When Will the Storm Pass? Intellectuals' Critical Voices Demanding Change); Edited by A. Rahim Ghazali; Published by Mizan, Bandung, March 1998; 190 pp + iv YOGYAKARTA (JP): This is a collection of past media interviews with 22 well-known intellectuals, mainly compiled from the Ummat weekly and Tempo Interaktif, which is only found on the Internet.

Telephones become a grassroots demand Telephones are virtually a basic need these days and home installation is becoming easier and cheaper. To coincide with World Telecommunications Day which falls today, The Jakarta Post reporter Dwi Atmanta wrote the following story, with reports from Devi M. Asmarani and Kosasih Deradjat. JAKARTA (JP): The telephone proved to be a true friend when riots and looting overwhelmed the capital last week.

G-8 summit urges political change in Indonesia BIRMINGHAM, England (Reuters): Leaders of the Group of Eight industrial countries issued a strong call for political reform in Indonesia and urged the security forces there to show restraint after four days of violence and mayhem. In a statement issued at their annual summit, the group said: "The current social unrest indicates that to resolve the crisis, political as well as economic reform is necessary.

Plane from RI skids in S'pore SINGAPORE (AP): A Fokker-28 plane chartered by a Swedish engineering company to evacuate its employees and other foreigners from riot-torn Indonesia landed in the middle of the rain-slick runway at Seletar Airport on yesterday and broke its left wing as it swerved off the tarmac. Three people were hospitalized among the 79 aboard the twin- engine Manunggal Air plane when it landed in heavy rain at 1:15 p.m. on Seletar's one runway.

Spotlight Photo A: French KBP FRENCH CONNECTION: French ambassador to Indonesia, Gerard Cros, presents the Medal of Chevalier dans l'Ordre des Palmes Academiques to Mrs. Okke Zaimar, head of the European Studies Center of University of Indonesia. The event was held May 5 at the ambassador's residence in Jakarta.

More foreign head for Singapore and Bangkok JAKARTA (Agencies): Hundreds of U.S. and Canadian nationals were flying out of Jakarta in the early hours of Saturday in the first mass organized evacuation of foreigners. About 800 evacuees were headed for Singapore and Bangkok aboard two chartered Cathay Pacific Boeing 747s. The evacuation was ordered after Jakarta was rocked by several days of rioting, looting and burning. They included dependents of U.S.

Former ministers, critics cool on idea of cabinet reshuffle JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto's decision to reshuffle his cabinet yesterday was received with indifference by former aides and critics. Although there are still no details about how Soeharto would introduce changes or which ministers would be replaced, the critics have already said they were not impressed.

Guess What? Larasati Iris Rischka Top model Larasati Iris Rischka seems to be making the most of a difficult situation. "I have friends calling me from abroad (telling me) to run away from Indonesia considering the situation here," Larasati, who has German blood, said. "It was so embarrassing. I told them straight that no mob, nobody can expel me from Indonesia. This is my home." Larasati, 27, was reported to be facing a deportation order to Germany because of an expired work permit.

Foreign airlines beef up their Indonesian services TOKYO (Agencies): Japanese carriers All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines will set up special flights to Indonesia to accommodate the flood of Japanese nationals fleeing the country, the Foreign Ministry said yesterday. Starting today, the two airlines will send 11 extra flights to Indonesia over three days, the ministry said. The flights can transport about 3,400 passengers back to Japan, it said. In Manila, Philippine Airlines Inc.

499 dead in wake of rioting JAKARTA (JP): The death toll from three days of rioting in Greater Jakarta topped 499 yesterday and police have rounded up more than 1,000 alleged rioters. Jakarta was relatively calm but fresh violence was reported in several Central Java towns and emotions reportedly remained high in the West Sumatra capital of Padang.

Lost By Yusrizal KW There seemed to be less peace in our village these past few days. Some people felt their lives were threatened. Someone saying he hailed from the city and had a close relationship with ministers and government officials, also with highly placed military officers, wanted the land of our village on the northern hill slope for a golf course. The person was known to us by the name of Pak Jihin. He was a businessman.

ABRI denies issuing warrant for Amien JAKARTA (JP): The Armed Forces (ABRI) denied yesterday that a warrant had been issued for the arrest of Moslem scholar Amien Rais for his allegedly subversive activities. Military spokesman Brig. Gen. A. Wahab Mokodongan told reporters he did not see any reason why Amien -- who is among the government's staunchest critics -- should be arrested.

Fuel for the fire From Republika The factor of "domestic market obligation" (DMO) has never been quoted in the opinions, both for and against, on the recent increase in fuel prices. About 95 percent of the 1.5 million barrels of Indonesia's oil output per day is produced by foreign oil companies which operate in Indonesia based on a production sharing contract. The contract stipulates that the DMO -- i.e.

Indonesia scores morale-boosting Thomas Cup win HONG KONG (Reuters): Indonesia made a successful opening to the defense of its Thomas Cup badminton men's team title yesterday, brushing aside the Netherlands 5-0. With team management promising protection for their families during the rioting in Jakarta and other cities, the Indonesian players said they were able to concentrate on the competition. "I'm very happy with the team's performance today.

Rural Kalimantan, where rice is worth more than gold By Iskandar Zulkarnaen SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan (Antara): Morning's dewdrops began to wet the earth, and the Kalian River in the Mahakam hinterland of East Kalimantan ran numbingly cold. Yet it did nothing to deter an old woman from stepping into the muddy water in search of grains of gold. From dawn to dusk, Ati, armed with only a wooden winnowing tray, trudges through the mud to make both ends meet.

Indonesia seems safer on television news JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia looked a lot safer yesterday. That was the general impression received yesterday when monitoring news on the five private TV stations, the public's chief sources of information on the protests and riots that have rocked the country these past few weeks. But it may have been deceiving. Life in Jakarta may have been slowly returning to normal yesterday, but riots continued in various towns in Indonesia.

Local ceramic artist finds beauty in hard times By Amir Sidharta JAKARTA (JP): Beautiful Indonesia, or Hindia Molek, a form of painting that depicts Indonesia's idyllic landscapes, or exotic and idealized nymphs, dominated the art scene here during the Dutch occupation. Artist Suyatna claims that his paintings, which incorporate ceramics, can be considered a continuation of this theme which highlights Indonesia's natural beauty.

Satelindo shifts its orbit from satellites to services For many mobile phone users, PT Satelit Palapa Indonesia (Satelindo) is perhaps most known as a provider of the Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) cellular service. But only a few may realize that Satelindo is among the major commercial satellite operators in the Asia Pacific -- a supplier of transponders and other satellite-linked telecommunication services to its many users in the region.

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 Kami 8:00 Children's Program: Kumbang and Family 8:30 Children's Program: Nuansa Anak 9:30 Variety Show: Widya Wahana 10:00 Cooking Program: Indonesian Food 10:15 Music 11:30 Talk Show: Bincang-Bincang 12:15 p.m.

Indosat rings in a bright new millenium Telecommunications has played a major role in Indonesia's development, and promises to be a vital cog in the wheel of industrialization into the next millennium. After 30 years as the country's number one international telecommunications carrier, Indosat has set a vision -- what it terms its "1-plus-3" strategy -- to remain in this distinguished position.