House of Prajudi a regeneration success story By Agni Amorita JAKARTA (JP): On a bright Friday morning on Aug. 21, celebrities were seen having coffee along with ladies from several embassies at a cafe in Pasaraya, Blok M, South Jakarta. Melodious notes from a Balinese gamelan orchestra played behind the stall of Indonesian handicrafts accompanying that morning's program of '98 Bali Festival, featuring a fashion show of the latest collection from Rumah Mode Prajudi, or the House of Prajudi.

President pledges to carck down on corruption JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie vowed yesterday to severely punish anyone, even former president Soeharto and his family, proven to be involved in corrupt, collusive or nepotistic practices. Speaking at a plenary consultation with the Supreme Advisory Council, Habibie pointed out that people who had borrowed or used state funds, including bankers, were obligated to repay the money.

Guess What? Muladi Old wounds are being opened and Minister of Justice Muladi, former rector of Semarang's Diponegoro University, is in demand to investigate this and that. On Wednesday, maybe so eager to announce another investigation, he dropped straight into the lap of Attorney General Mohammad Ghalib, who was already seated for a media conference. "Hey, you're heavy!" Ghalib shouted to the big-built Muladi, a keen judoist. "Oh, sorry," said Muladi, straight-faced as usual.

Rioting continues in Cilacap By Agus Maryono CILACAP, Central Java (JP): Hundreds of outraged fishermen went on another rampage here yesterday, vandalizing and looting the houses of fishery bosses while outnumbered troops were instructed to shoot rioters on the spot if necessary. There were no reports of casualties as of last night. Thousands of fishermen ran amok in the area Friday morning, the violence subsiding only late that night. The new wave of rioting began at 7 p.m.

PBSI tells sponsore to pay up in bonus row JAKARTA (JP): Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) vice chairman Agus Wirahadikusumah complained yesterday that the association had yet to receive a promised bonus from Sunrise and Co., Asia's main distributor for the Japanese-based sports equipment factory Yonex. "I just signed a letter inquiring about their promise (bonus) two days ago, but they have yet to respond," he told reporters during the association's junior national selection.

El Nino Nobody has ever seen El Nino, but everybody has felt the brunt of its unpredictable moods, especially in Asia. El Nino is a weather phenomenon, the source of which is said to lie somewhere off the coast of Peru in South America, which a few months ago brought prolonged drought and misery to many countries in this region.

Don't Ever Come Back, Juli! By Martin Aleida We lived in the most sordid part of Jakarta, where the water for cooking, drinking and washing had to be carried from the reservoirs of water selling stations. In this area, however deep you dug you would only find salt water. Even the ground we trod on was salty. Only the pohon api-api (avicennia) plants and a certain kind of grass could grow in the salty water. This was the area called Ancol, a desert in the capital.

Wanted: Government rule on kissing and hugging JAKARTA (JP): "How many cheeks do you think Pak Habibie has to kiss a day?" Fernando, my youngest son, asked recently as the opening salvo to one of his notoriously aggravating queries. I didn't answer. I knew, like other youngsters who think they have the right to enjoy the long-abandoned freedom to talk, how he always comes up with awkward questions. I was not happy with him pestering the government with his everlasting protests and demands.

Guess What? Lola Amaria Many critics snipe that TV films here lack depth. But Lola Amaria, the star of Penari (Dancer), faced a tougher challenge than what critics expect from many local artists. She was willing to go the distance to learn more about her character, in line with the demands of director Nan T. Achnas. Lola, 21, played Sila, an exotic dancer in the drama adapted from Seno Adjie Gumira's short story The Death of a Stripper.

Indonesia's Foreign Policy -- Quo Vadis? Politik Luar Negeri Indonesia Di bawah Soeharto (Indonesia's Foreign Policy Under Soeharto); By Leo Suryadinata; LP3ES, Jakarta, 1998; 271 + x pp; Rp 25,000 JAKARTA (JP): As a large and influential country in Southeast Asia, Indonesia assumes a strategic position, both economically and politically.

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 123 8:00 Children's Program: Kumbang and Family 8:30 Children's Program: Nuansa Anak 9:00 Music 9:30 Creative Program: Widya Wahana 10:00 Cooking Program: Indonesian Food 10:30 Music 11:30 Talk Show: Bincang-Bincang 12:15 p.m.

Indonesian-Germany poem night breaks down barriers By Kafil Yamin BANDUNG (JP): Words often unintentionally become chains of a poems' soul. Only poets gifted with extraordinary strength of spirit are capable of breaking through the bars of words. Such an obstacle is more obvious when someone attempts to translate a poem into another language.

How to dial for your basic needs JAKARTA (JP): The term virtual shopping is usually identified with shopping on the Internet. It could, however, easily be used for any retail activity that maximizes the exchange of information through intangible channels. DialMart and Bebita implement the concept using telephone lines. DialMart's membership applications are obtained from the company's flashy newspaper advertisements, the Internet or an automated fax on demand.

Habibie's rule after 100 days The first 100 days in power is thought to be crucial in determining a leader's performance for the rest of his or her term in office. In the following story we ask political analysts for their assessment of President B.J. Habibie's first 100 days in office, the anniversary of which fell on Friday. The Jakarta Post's team of reporters Stevie Emilia, Johannes K. Simbolon, Aloysius Unditu, Christiani S. Tumelap, Lukman Natanagara, Ridwan M.

Guess What? Ade Rai Aspiring hunks, take note. Asia's top body builder is keeping in shape with the soybean cake, tempeh. Ade Rai says the food we used to ignore is the perfect supplement to his large daily requirement of protein during the crisis. Since the price of eggs has soared from about Rp 2,000 a kilogram to Rp 8,000 a kilogram, Ade has reduced his diet of 40 eggs a day to a mere 20. "I have to take in 360 grams of protein every day. An egg (white only) contains three grams.

Smart household buying: Let your fingers do the shooping By Yudha Kartohadiprodjo JAKARTA (JP): Sembako is the acronym of the day. It loosely means the nine basic commodities, which have appeared lately more on the streets than in the stores. But now, with the introduction of an alternative shopping method, sembako may be delivered to your front door, at reasonable prices. The service is offered by DialMart and Bebita, two new firms offering the ease of shopping at your finger tips.

East meets West in Sujiwo's new album By Sirikit Syah SURABAYA (JP): Sujiwo Tejo's newly released album is a new musical experience. A newcomer to the music industry, Sujiwo is different from other performers. His songs, which he composed himself, are in Javanese, but many of the titles are in Indonesian -- one is even in English. The album has something in common with Emha Ainun Nadjib's Kado Mohammad (Mohammad's Gift), in terms of their Javanese lyrics and social-concerned themes.

Polls give B.J. Habibie the thumbs down JAKARTA (JP): If the results of four recent polls are of any indication of people's view of President B.J. Habibie's three- month-old presidency, the conclusion so far is that Indonesians have not fully accepted him as the country's chief executive.

Indonesia routs Myanmar to reach Tiger Cup semis HO CHI MINH CITY (AP): Miro Baldo Bento scored twice as Indonesia rebounded from an early deficit to down the Philippines 6-2 last night and clinch a semifinal berth in the Tiger Cup soccer competition. Pre-tournament favorite Thailand broke away from a halftime tie to defeat the Philippines 3-1 and stay in control for the other semifinal spot from Group A of the eight-nation event.

Workers return home as Tyfountex bows to demands JAKARTA (JP): A group of 850 laid-off workers of a Central Java-based textile company started heading back to their hometown of Kartosuro on Friday night shortly after their firm agreed to reemploy them and raise their salaries, one of their leaders said yesterday.

What people think of Habibie and expect from him now JAKARTA (JP): How do people evaluate President B.J. Habibie's first 100 days in office? Politicians, researchers, businesspeople and ordinary citizens share their views: * Amien Rais, chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN): In some aspects Habibie has taken encouraging steps such as (attempts to give) freedom of the press and freedom of speech and the release of a considerable number of political prisoners.

Highlights of B.J.Habibie's 100 days in office JAKARTA (JP): Thrust into the spotlight following Soeharto's sudden resignation from the presidency, President B.J. Habibie's short term in office has included the following highlights. May 21: Installed as the country's third president, replacing Soeharto who resigned under pressure from student protests and amid widespread discontent over the economic crisis.