Wildlife, rich culture lure tourists to Ndana Island By Yacob Herin NDANA ISLAND, East Nusa Tenggara (JP): Deer, turtles, bats, pigeons, and pelicans are the main inhabitants of this island, south of Rote in the Kupang regency. Caves home to legions of bats are also found on this island -- adorned, as one might expect, by visitors' graffiti. Legends also abound. Locals will tell you about the single golden turtle on the island but don't expect to spot it.

Silent Song reveals the making of a writer Nyanyi Sunyi Seorang Bisu 2, Catatan-catatan dari Pulau Buru (The Silent Song of a Mute 2, Notes from Buru Island); By Pramoedya Ananta Toer; Lentera, Jakarta, February 1997; xviii + 259 pp.; Rp 30,000 JAKARTA (JP): The name Pramoedya evokes a fierce resistance to oppression and a firm belief in humanity. Noted literary critic HB Jassin once said in his collection of letters: "...

Ray of Hope By Elan Mufti For the 39-year-old Hendra Tjahjadi, his dream of extending the Cahaya Watch Shop went up in smoke along with what was left of his shop after the fire. The aftermath of the May 14 riot was too much of a disaster for him. Nine years of hard labor completely vanished in less than 24 hours. He never understood how such things could happen. Nor could his wife Wati. "Don't worry, my husband, just consider this the darkest chapter of our lives," she told Hendra.

Yeni: Breaking the taboos By Ati Nurbaiti JAKARTA (JP): Politics is taking up so much of her time. But everyone needs a job. And Yeni Rosa Damayanti, an activist who has just returned for an unplanned stay for safety's sake in the Netherlands, had wanted to take up portrait painting.

Do your chairs need reform? JAKARTA (JP): The phrase 'We care about freedom' (Kami Peduli Kebebasan) was splashed in the June 8 edition of Kompas daily. However, if you think that those words have something to do with the greater freedom demanded by student demonstrators as part of their demands for reforms, then you're in for a big surprise.

Looting From Kompas The concern the government feels over the recent incidents of looting is so deep that on Sunday, May 17, 1998, a number of ministers took the time to explain to the public that the looting, which occurred as a result of a demand for reform, which was echoed by university students, incurred losses worth Rp 2.5 trillion.

Guess What? Bernard Kalb Any foreigner who uses Bung (brother) to address an Indonesian is likely to have spent a great deal of time in Indonesia in the 1950s, when the term was widely used by government officials and fellow freedom fighters to refer to one another. Bernard Kalb, who runs the CNN's weekly program Reliable Sources, is one American who uses Bung to address any Indonesian male he comes across.

Racial unrest: Results of political and cultural alienation By Amir Sidharta JAKARTA (JP): Last month's massive riots saw thousands of buildings damaged or burned by looters and hundreds of people killed, injured, raped or sexually harassed. Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, Chinese-Indonesians were the targets of most of this violence.

Security forces deployed in capital to assure public JAKARTA (JP): The heavy presence of security forces at many shopping centers, office buildings and on the streets yesterday was a deliberate attempt to assure people that the capital is safe, officials said. "What you see today on the streets is part of Sispamkota," Jakarta Police chief Maj. Gen. Noegroho Djajoesman told reporters in the evening, referring to a joint security system for the capital. "Actually it's normal.

Simpler distribution system crucial for stable food prices By Budiman Moerdijat and Devi M. Asmarani JAKARTA (JP): Yanti has never felt the need to understand economics, nor does she normally care about the inflation rate or the ups and downs of the rupiah. But as the monetary crisis bores deeper into the lives of ordinary Indonesians, the 30 year old sighs every time she digs into her purse to pay more for the same products she bought just days before. "The price of rice.

Traditional market offers cushion during hard times Erna Witoelar is one of the pioneers of the consumer movement here and was president of Consumers International from 1991 to 1997. Erna, 51, is now the executive director of Gema Madani (Echo of Civil Society), a new non-governmental organization. She said recently that Gema had offered to help channel the World Bank's US$1 million in humanitarian aid to the country's needy.

Thousands pay homage to Sukarno JAKARTA (JP): Thousands of people converged on the East Java town of Blitar yesterday to pay homage to Sukarno, Indonesia's founding father and first president, who died 28 years ago. The commemoration of his death saw a much greater turnout than in past years, thanks largely to the greater cooperation of the local administration in the current reform atmosphere, according to dispatches received here yesterday.

Traditional markets still have their place in Jakarta It's Jakarta's 471st anniversary tomorrow. What is there to celebrate, with all the ruin and pain around us? As city dwellers try to put food on the family table, many have felt the frustration of food scarcity. The anniversary may be a time to appreciate some of the main players in the capital's economy. In this issue, The Jakarta Post's reporters Benget Simbolon Tnb, Budiman Moerdijat, Devi S. Asmarani, Ida Indawati Khouw, P.J.

Russian princess 'Anastasia' comes to town By Yudha Kartohadiprodjo JAKARTA (JP): With the coming of the school holidays, parents may wonder what entertainment is available for their children. At a time when cinemas are flooded with Hollywood's movies loaded with mature themes, animation like Anastasia may bring some light relief.

Island prepared for immigrants SINGAPORE (AP): Singapore is preparing a small island near its shores as a detention center for a potential flood of illegal immigrants from economically troubled neighbors, a news report said yesterday. Authorities are readying St. John's Island, a former political prison, The Straits Times reported, adding that old buildings on the tiny island are being refurbished and ringed with barbed wire.

Singaporeans want greater say SINGAPORE (AP): A government poll released yesterday shows Singaporeans feel the state does not consult them when making decisions, is unable to accept criticism, and inhibits freedom of speech. In a survey of 1,075 respondents questioned by mail, only 22 percent said the government consults them when forming policy. Asked whether it should, 67 percent said yes.

Spotlight Photo A: Erasmus JP/leo OFF TO A NEW START: David Korthals Altes (left), outgoing deputy director of the Dutch cultural center Erasmus Huis, joins singer Marijke ten Kate at the center during a show. He was performing at his farewell gathering on June 11, ending a term of seven years.

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 Creative Program: Widya Wahana 10:00 Cooking Program: Indonesian Food 10:30 Music: Albung Minggu 11:30 Talk Show: Bincang-Bincang 12:05 p.m.

'Barongsay' dance springs back to life By Kafil Yamin BANDUNG (JP): In the name of preserving national culture and defending precious traditional values, Chinese-related art and culture has long been barred from public display in Indonesia. Chinese-Indonesians must celebrate the Lunar New Year modestly -- no fireworks, no carnivals. But when Indonesians observe independence day on August 17, money is often collected from Chinese-Indonesians to help make the celebration as noisy as possible.

Traditional markets meet needs of rich and poor JAKARTA (JP): Take your pick and shop at either traditional markets, which are widely considered unhygienic, or at air- conditioned supermarkets; or have the groceries delivered to your door. Some city residents share their preferences here: Miranda Gultom, a director at Bank Indonesia: I haven't been to the market for quite a long time because I've been very busy... So it's the maid who goes to the market, usually once a week.

Guruh gives pointers in dance and political awareness By Helly Minarti JAKARTA (JP): Guruh Sukarnoputra is more than just an award- winning composer and legendary hitmaker in pop music. He is also a noted choreographer. Guruh, whose last major show was in 1989, is back with a musical and dance concert entitled Untung Surapati. His new show will be performed at Gedung Kesenian Jakarta from June 18 to 21.