Airports quiet as departures slow down JAKARTA (JP): The wave of foreigners and Indonesians scurrying abroad dipped markedly yesterday, with Jakarta's main Soekarno- Hatta International Airport appearing almost back to normal. Embassies here have reportedly advised their nationals to leave the city but strongly warned them not to travel yesterday, anticipating a possibly hazardous situation. At the airport, only a few people sat with their fully packed luggage in the departure atrium.

National Awakening Day rally canceled to avoid bloodshed JAKARTA (JP): Leading opposition figure Amien Rais called off, at the last minute, a massive anti-Soeharto rally planned for yesterday around the National Monument (Monas), citing possible bloodshed. Amien said he traveled around Jakarta in the early hours and saw barbed wire being set up, streets closed and thousands of soldiers posted in strategic positions. "The (security) made me think of a world war," he said.

Divorces up for S'pore Moslems SINGAPORE (AP): The number of Moslem divorces rose last year in multiethnic Singapore, a newspaper reported yesterday. Divorces among Moslems, which are handled by Islamic authorities in a Shariah Court rather than by the regular judiciary, rose about 10 percent to 1,212 cases, according to The Straits Times. But the court's administrator said the increase was attributed to more efficiency in the Shariah Court rather than more applications for divorce.

Tension reigns over Jakarta's Monas Square JAKARTA (JP): The atmosphere at the National Monument (Monas) Square and its vast surrounding area in the heart of the capital was unusually tense yesterday, resembling an eerily quiet combat zone instead of a popular hangout location.

Business activity grinds to a virtual halt JAKARTA (JP): Business activities were virtually at a standstill yesterday, with banks and companies closing their offices over fears of possible mass demonstrations. Many banks that pledged Tuesday to remain open, closed their offices yesterday, while Bank Indonesia, the central bank, suspended clearing operations. Almost every shopping center in the capital also closed.

No time for delay, nations tell Soeharto WASHINGTON (Agencies): Leading nations sent a clear message yesterday to Indonesia's President Soeharto: Time is running out! United States Secretary of State Madeleine Albright yesterday called on President Soeharto to "preserve his legacy" by permitting a transition of democracy. In a speech at graduation ceremony for the U.S.

RI to meet China in Thomas Cup semis HONG KONG (Reuters): Holder Indonesia rested former world champion Hariyanto Arbi yesterday but was still too strong for Malaysia in their final group match in the Thomas Cup men's team championship. Indonesia's victory secured it top spot in group B against opponent which did not really care if it won or lost. Both countries had already qualified for the semis along with strong Danish and Chinese teams.

Mahathir still in hospital KUALA LUMPUR (AP): Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad attended yesterday a Cabinet meeting after being hospitalized for four days. But Mahathir returned directly to his ward after the meeting for further treatment, Bernama news agency said. Mahathir, 72, underwent an operation on his left ankle to remove a blood clot at the Malaysia University Hospital last Saturday and has remained there to recuperate.

Reform committee to be set up today JAKARTA (JP): The initial lineup of the National Committee for Reform will be announced today, Minister/State Secretary Saadilah Mursjid said yesterday. President Soeharto will issue an executive order to establish a committee comprising public figures and experts from universities, Saadilah told reporters at his office.

Golkar wants MPR special session JAKARTA (JP): The majority of Golkar members in the House of Representatives voted yesterday to convene an extraordinary session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) to bring about President Soeharto's resignation. However, they are divided on whether Vice President B.J. Habibie should tender his resignation at the same time.

Four pages Despite the national holiday, The Jakarta Post appears in a four-page edition today to bring our readers the latest national political developments. -- The Publisher

Student protest turns into a giant festival JAKARTA (JP): Students from Surabaya University in East Java arrived in Jakarta empty-pocketed after traveling here on Monday to join student protests at the House of Representatives. Despite only having money for the train fare from Surabaya to Jakarta, they did not worry about how they would feed and shelter themselves during their stay in the capital.

Yogyakarta's Sultan leads massive reform rally YOGYAKARTA (JP): Yogyakarta's Sultan Hamengkubuwono X led a peaceful rally of at least 600,000 in this ancient city yesterday to demand President Soeharto's resignation. The rally, in which mainly students participated, gathered in front of the palace, located in the southern part of the city, after commemorating National Awakening Day at their own campuses.

Amien and colleagues admit to divisions over Soeharto's move JAKARTA (JP): Leading government critic Amien Rais and his friends expressed outrage over President Soeharto's Tuesday meeting with nine Moslem leaders, a move they admitted had sowed division among "reformists". Adi Sasono and Dawam Rahardjo, both activists of the Association of Indonesian Moslem Intellectuals (ICMI), A.

JIS graduates 82 students in Singapore SINGAPORE (AP): Amid rowdy applause and some somber reflection, one-third of the graduating class of Jakarta International School (JIS) counted their blessings Tuesday as they took part in a graduation ceremony most thought would never happen. Students from the school are among thousands of expatriates who have been evacuated from Jakarta since last week. "I'm happy that we've been evacuated because it has brought us together.

Grief and homely suprises meet fleeing Indonesians SINGAPORE (Agencies): Singaporeans have been opening their homes to families fleeing riot-torn Indonesia, offering free or reduced rent for unused rooms and apartments. "I am very tired but we have to work harder to let these Indonesians know where they can turn for help," Justin Ong, owner of The Rental Specialist property agency in Singapore, told the Straits Times newspaper.

Opinions divided on Soeharto's reform offer JAKARTA (JP): Opinions on President Soeharto's offer to reform were divided between acceptance without reservation, acceptance with conditions, and outright rejection yesterday. Supporters of Megawati Soekarnoputri in the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) backed Soeharto's offer for a new general election, but said it must be held within the next three months.

Nation awaits new government JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto remained closeted in his Cendana residence in Central Jakarta yesterday, amid growing speculation that he would step down today. Informed sources told The Jakarta Post that Soeharto would hand over the presidency to Vice President B.J. Habibie at the State Palace this morning at 9 a.m. There was no official comment.