Economic turmoil breeds sexual crisis in Bandung By Kafil Yamin BANDUNG (JP): The diminished rupiah has bred diminished sexual relationships for many Indonesians. A crude statement, perhaps, but an expert claims it is true. A study by Teddy Hidayat of Bandung's Hasan Sadikin Public Hospital revealed that 48 percent of patients surveyed thought that their sexual lives had degenerated due to the economic crisis.

Crushing the culture, taking up 'feng shui' JAKARTA (JP): Upon returning from a visit to Hong Kong in the late 1970s, customs here attempted to seize some books written in Chinese characters that I had brought back. When I demanded an explanation for his behavior, the customs official in question pointed to the declaration form that I had signed and just handed to him. I admit that I had not read it properly, but when I did I was outraged.

Two killed in attack on Cambodia poll workers PHNOM PENH (Reuters): Suspected Khmer Rouge guerrillas attacked officials taking voting kits to northern Cambodia for the July 26 general election, killing two security men and wounding five, officials said yesterday. The election team was attacked near the former Khmer Rouge headquarters at Anlong Veng while they were transporting voting material to polling stations on Friday afternoon, the government officials said.

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 10:30 Music: Album Minggu 11:30 Talk Show: Bincang-Bincang 12:15 p.m.

Thrifty ways in the crisis This is an additional thought to the letter printed in the July 16 edition of The Jakarta Post by Ritu Sud, regarding fasting and the example of the prime minister of India, Lal Bahadur Shastri. I agree with what Ritu Sud said. Lal Bahadur Shastri not only called upon Indians to fast once weekly on every Monday, but also requested them to eat vegetables instead of rice or wheat.

For Minang, a market is for more than just shopping By Indra D. Himrat JAKARTA (JP): When you shop in modern shopping centers you simply have to pick up what you wish to buy and then pay at the cash register. However, if you happen to go to a Minang market in West Sumatra's rural areas, you will find that people will be involved not only in bargaining for what they want to purchase but also in discussing matters of interest related to their village, their country or even the world.

RI's children rights neglected Our children are the future of the country. But do they receive the treatment which befits this honorable position in a nation which has committed itself to upholding the rights of minors? In conjunction with National Children's Day of July 23, The Jakarta Post team of Benget Simbolon Tnb, Budiman Moerdijat, Devi M. Asmarani, Ida Indawati Khouw, Primastuti Handayani, Reiner Simanjuntak, Sugianto Tandra and photographer P.J.

Embroidery show features local designs JAKARTA (JP): From cotton piano covers in bright blues and greens to fashionable Japanese silk kebaya (blouses), the three- week embroidery exhibition at the Sari Pan Pacific Hotel in Central Jakarta is definitely worth a visit. Organized by the Association of Indonesian Embroidery Industries (Asindo) and the hotel, the exhibition began yesterday and will end July 31.

How the UN defines children's rights JAKARTA (JP): The 1989 UN Convention on the Rights of the Child states a child is every human being below the age of 18, unless adulthood is attained earlier under country laws applicable to the child. The convention's most important point is that all actions concerning the child shall take full account of his or her best interest. Other points of the convention are stated below: 1. The state must protect the child from any form of discrimination. 2.

Protecting local children's rights still a distant dream By Ida Indawati Khouw and Primastuti Handayani JAKARTA (JP): Two girls living hundreds of kilometers apart -- Lili in Jakarta and Ani in Ungaran, Central Java -- had their world shattered one day when their parents told them they had to stop going to school. Most parents are now aware that education is among a child's basic rights, thanks to years of government campaigning.

Child abuse still rampant in Indonesia By Budiman Moerdijat and Benget Simbolon Tnb JAKARTA (JP): Despite growing calls for better protection of children's rights, child abuse remains a sad fact in today's society. Hamid Patilima of the Indonesian Children's Welfare Foundation (YKAI) said in a report that cases of child abuse were still rampant in Indonesia.

Utut leaves for chess tourneys JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's Grandmaster Utut Adianto left for Switzerland and Poland Friday to take part in two chess tournaments. The first is in Biel, Switzerland, from July 18 through July 31 and the second in Kozalin, Poland, from Aug. 3 through Aug. 13. In the Biel tournament, Utut is favorite to retain his title. The strongest competition is expected from GM Ognjen Cvitan of Croatia. In Kozalin last year Utut was runner up to GM Iidar Ibragimov of Russia.

Banyumas dancers face misperception By Wartono Permadhi BANYUMAS, Central Java (JP): Lengger, a folk dance unique to Banyumas, is now gaining in popularity if the large number of dance troupes registered at the local office of the ministry of education and culture is anything to go by. Lengger, or Ronggeng Banyumasan, is similar to dances found in other areas with different names. The dance apparently has its roots in the gambyong dance, a folk dance with set movements.

Spotlight Photo A: French French Embassy FRENCH CELEBRATION: French Ambassador Grard Cros (third from right), hosts the French National Day Celebration and poses with guests Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas (fourth right); Marzuki Darusman (left), a member of the National Commission on Human Rights: Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Marzuki Usman(second left); Fuad Hasan (third right), former minister of education and culture, A.A.

RI children facing deeper crisis By Reiner Simanjuntak JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1990 but many still question the implementation of these rights in the country. The economic crisis is even more threatening to these rights. The Jakarta Post interviewed Arist Merdeka Sirait, a child rights activist with the Indonesian Committee for the Creative Education of Child Labor Foundation, to share his views.

Child prostitution thrives in Yogyakarta By Gin Kurniawan and Sumanto YOGYAKARTA (JP): Along the famed tourist street of Jl. Malioboro and other areas here, youngsters dubbed cilikan (small) have become popular for the sexual services they offer. Information leading to their whereabouts is provided by amateur guides, becak (pedicab) and taxi drivers. "Come, Oom (uncle), I'll take you...

Children speak up on what freedom is in their eyes By Sugianto Tandra JAKARTA (JP): Child rights is often considered a term understood only by adults. But when they are asked, many children know how to spell out what they think should be their freedom -- from their parents, schools and other institutions of the adult world. Interviewed recently by The Jakarta Post, those children who knew of "child rights" said they heard about it from their teachers.

Cheap market descends into free-for-all fiasco JAKARTA (JP): Looting of vegetable oil marred the opening of a two day cheap market in the National Monument (Monas) park to mark the 51st Cooperative Day yesterday. The incident happened at 7:30 a.m., an hour after President B.J. Habibie opened the market which is aimed at providing city dwellers with essential foodstuffs at an affordable price.

Enlightenment toward national integration Regionalisme, Nasionalisme dan Ketahanan Nasional (Regionalism, Nationalism and National Resilience); By Edi Sudradjat, Lance Castles, et al.; National Defense Institute and Post Graduate Studies, Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta, 1998; 232 pp + xii; Rp 6,500. YOGYAKARTA (JP): Problems related to each race, religion, culture and ethnic group in a multicultural state will always be material for ceaseless debate.

UN envoy puts East Timor visit on hold JAKARTA (JP): United Nations special envoy for East Timor Jamsheed Marker met President B.J. Habibie yesterday and said his plan to visit the troubled province still hung in the balance. Marker, a special representative of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, said after the meeting that the President's commitment to resolve the East Timor problem was "very encouraging".