Tracing the history of Javanese traditional art By Tri Budhi Sastrio DENPASAR (JP): Culture derives from the accumulated habits of many lifetimes. Moreover, it is the way people see themselves and organize their lives according to those perceptions. The most widely known forms of Javanese art, theater and literature manifest the issues and preoccupations considered most important during the time they were created.

The era of awakening for democracy Following is the full text of the state address given by President B.J. Habibie on Aug. 15 before the House of Representatives in Jakarta on the occasion of the 53rd anniversary of Indonesia's Independence Day Aug. 17, 1998. The text continues on the following page. Two days from now the Indonesian people will celebrate the anniversary of the Proclamation of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia.

No paper In observance of Independence Day tomorrow, which is a national holiday, The Jakarta Post will not appear, and will resume publication on Tuesday. -- The Editor

Everyday human rights violations under the New Order By Mohtar Mas'oed YOGYAKARTA (JP): The following stories were familiar to many of us during the New Order period. Darmin, an orange seller from Nganjuk, always traveled from villages in East Java to Jakarta's markets.

Freeport workers end strike JAKARTA (JP): After being on strike since Aug. 10 to demand a pay increase and protest alleged discrimination against local staff, PT Freeport Indonesia employees in Irian Jaya agreed on Friday to return to work. Company spokesperson Yuli Ismartono said in a statement yesterday that the strike ended "without incident" but did not specify the agreement between the workers and the company.

ABRI hails Habibie's state address JAKARTA (JP): The Armed Forces (ABRI) top brass greeted with grace President B.J. Habibie's assertion yesterday that the military had to undergo reform, calling the stance realistic and future-oriented. Armed Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto said the military was ready for some political power-sharing, while Armed Forces Chief of Sociopolitical Affairs Lt. Gen. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono admitted that the "security approach" was now obsolete.

Seeking independence in the world of the arts By Rita A. Widiadana JAKARTA (JP): It's quite unpleasant to plan a night out at a wayang kulit (shadow puppet) show featuring a famous puppeteer, only to hear him trying to blend in messages of the country's achievements. Ditto for pop songs and comedy shows -- messages on "development" just wipe out their potential to bring enjoyment.

Habibie eyes 'a civil society' JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie said yesterday that current reform efforts must be geared toward building a civil society which is just, open and democratic, and one which requires the military to adjust its role accordingly. In his inaugural state of the nation address before the House of Representatives, Habibie shared his vision of where he intends to steer the country. The address was televised nationwide.

Guess What? Edi Sedyawati Director General of Culture Edi Sedyawati visited a photo exhibit to enjoy the show, but probably had no idea she would be put on the spot. Featured at Tuesday's opening of a three-day exhibit was a performance by the Teater Trotoar group, students of the School of Public Health of the University of Indonesia. The show at Bentara Budaya building on Jl. Palmerah Selatan, Central Jakarta, centered on an autocratic Javanese ruler being loudly advised by his attendants.

RI moving in slow motion toward real independence By Rikza Abdullah JAKARTA (JP): Indonesians will express their gratitude to God as they celebrate 53 years of their country's independence tomorrow. But in this era of reform, it is worthwhile to reflect whether we have really enjoyed independence in any real sense.

Legal reform a necessity to forge democratic society By T. Mulya Lubis JAKARTA (JP): As Indonesia celebrates the 53rd anniversary of its independence tomorrow, it is timely to reflect upon the nation's achievements over all these years, particularly in the legal sector, an area of great significance. Compared with the other sectors, the legal sector has been very much left behind.

Grappling with the power over our consciousness JAKARTA (JP): How far have we achieved independence, in the true sense of the word? This was one question posed to historian Taufik Abdullah: His reply first described the "sense" itself, how the term has been variously used over the years. He concluded that we're still in a process of completing the initial agenda of obtaining democratic freedom and economic independence.

Gibson, Glover still a deadly team in 'Lethal Weapon 4' By Stevie Emilia JAKARTA (JP): Six years ago, most moviegoers probably thought they had seen the last of the Lethal Weapon films after a successful three-movie run over more than half a decade. Most blockbuster movies mothball their characters after a second sequel. Die Hard, Home Alone, Indiana Jones and Star Wars went three rounds before petering out. Some, like Speed for instance, don't make it past a second film.

Indonesian film industry tunes up for its own swan song By Gotot Prakosa JAKARTA (JP): Makers of 26 movies produced between 1996 and 1997 are waiting to hear the fate of their works currently in limbo in PT Interstudio Laboratorium. These movies have not been processed because their producers could not afford the finishing costs. Both postproduction and reproduction costs are calculated in dollars, while the projected earnings will be in the depreciated rupiah.

Spotlight Photo A: Bakrieland JP/alx LOSS REPORT: The president director of publicly listed PT Bakrieland Development, Bambang Irawan (left), watches while the company's director, Robert Max Sinaulan (center), and commissioner Hamizar Hamid shake hands after their annual shareholders meeting here at Gedung Rasuna. Friday's meeting reported a Rp 33.81 billion loss for the company in 1997.

Badminton meet dates announced JAKARTA (JP): The five-star JVC Asian Badminton Championships will take place in Bangkok from Sept. 1 to Sept. 5 at the Nimibutr Gymnasium National Stadium. World top shuttlers from China, Indonesia, Malaysia and South Korea have confirmed their participation in the US$136,000 event, according to the Asian Badminton Confederation (ABC) secretary- general, Datok Punch Gunalan.

House supports thorough investigation into riots JAKARTA (JP): House of Representatives Speaker Harmoko, opening the first of the House's 1998/1999 sitting sessions, supported calls for a thorough investigation into the May riots which left 1,200 people killed, more than 160 women and children sexually abused and led to the downfall of veteran ruler Soeharto.

HK residents seek full investigation into May violence HONG KONG (AP): More than 300 people marched to the Indonesian consulate in Hong Kong yesterday to demand a speedy and full investigation into the violence against ethnic Chinese during riots in May. The protesters fanned themselves in the sweltering heat with plastic fans emblazoned with the Chinese character "shame" to depict their feelings about alleged sexual assaults against the ethnic Chinese in Indonesia.

The search for national culture 53 years after independence By Mochtar Buchori JAKARTA (JP): It was in 1938 that the issue of national culture was discussed for the first time. In a conference, called Symposium Kebudayaan, prominent Indonesian intellectuals, all of whom were quite politically active, discussed intensively what a "national culture" should be.

Sense of crisis lacking From Bisnis Indonesia It is not quite wrong if a certain party suggested that the government and the House of Representatives have not fully shown a sense of crisis. First, this lack of sense of crisis is evident in the government's plan to allocate a gift of a house (or palace?) worth Rp 26.5 billion to former president Soeharto. Second, the government also plans to issue interest-free credit of Rp 40 million to House members to purchase a car.

RI to select boxers for Cuban training JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Amateur Boxing Association will send four of 10 boxers currently in training for the 13th Asian Games to Cuba, based on their form in the Pattimura Cup championships in Ambon, Maluku, from Aug. 18 to Aug. 23. The association's secretary-general, Didit Soedijoto, told reporters Friday the athletes would stay in Cuba from Sept. 14 to Nov. 22. The Games will be held in Bangkok in December. "They will meet their future rivals there.

1,000 people left homeless after fire JAKARTA (JP): About 1,000 people are now homeless after a huge fire gutted houses in the densely populated residential area in Kartini subdistrict in Sawah Besar, Central Jakarta, yesterday afternoon. No fatalities were reported but the fire caused a tall, black plume of smoke to rise into the capital's sky. According to resident Hafidhin, 54, the fire started at about 3:30 p.m. in one of the houses in the neighborhood.

State firms to lend a hand for Asiad JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of the Empowerment of State Enterprises Tanri Abeng pledged yesterday that state enterprises would provide financial assistance to the National Sports Council to send its squad to the 13th Asian Games in Bangkok in December. "I still can't mention the figure," Tanri said on Friday while watching a tennis championships in commemoration of Indonesia's 53rd independence anniversary at the Senayan tennis complex.

Indonesia at crossroads after 53 years of independence By Mohammad Sadli JAKARTA (JP): As it turns 53, Indonesia finds itself at a crossroads. It is not the first time. Our country went through Constitutional changes in its early years when we had prime ministers rather than strong presidents. Then we saw a changing of the guard when the old Sukarno order made way for the "New Order" of Soeharto.

Hendrawan and Susi make finals JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian men's singles player Hendrawan and women's singles veteran Susi Susanti booked final places yesterday in the US$150,000 Singapore Open badminton tournament. Eighth seeded Hendrawan defeated Sun Jun of China 15-10, 15-6 to meet top seeded Dane Peter Gade Christensen, who beat Malaysian Yong Hock Kin 17-15, 5-15, 15-9. The finals will be played today.