Panning for truth on the slag heap of tarnished gold BRE-X -- The Inside Story; By Diane Francis; Seal Books, McClelland-Bantam Inc, July 1998; 326 pp, S $15.90. JAKARTA (JP): If, as Mark Twain said, "A gold mine is a hole in the ground with a liar on top", then Bre-X turned out to be this century's biggest liar.

Ray of hope for RI films: Garin By Ivy Susanti JAKARTA (JP): Fears have been voiced that the dire economic crisis will serve to speed the total collapse of the ailing national film industry, but film director Garin Nugroho can see a ray of hope ahead. Famed for his quality works, Garin said the film industry will have a bright future provided people involved in the industry remain strongly committed to their profession.

Signs of hope for local film revival? The Indonesian film industry has been in the doldrums since the late 1980s. Film production has constantly been low, and the few films that have been made have attracted the attention of but a few moviegoers. However the recent artistic and commercial success of Daun Di Atas Bantal (A Leaf On A Pillow), directed by Garin Nugroho, has given rise to hopes of an industry-wide revival. The Jakarta Post team of K.

Shuttlers must 'be professionals' JAKARTA (JP): The Badminton Association of Indonesia deputy chairman, Agus Wirahadikusumah, has urged players to behave professionally in their daily activities. "As professional shuttlers, they must be disciplined in training, dieting and resting. They must realize that they have to sacrifice their youth due to their tight training and competition schedule," he said on Saturday.

Supena paints homage to Bali's glorious past By Putu Wirata DENPASAR (JP): Young, talented Balinese painter Made Supena takes inspiration from his native culture to create his abstract works. His solo exhibition at the Chedi Gallery, Ubud, featuring more than 20 of Supena's abstracts opened on Aug. 23 and will last until Oct. 23. Born in 1970, Supena is a dropout of Udayana University's School of Fine Arts and Design.

Silkworms spin employment for thousands in Central Java By Ahmad Solikhan and Abu Ibrahim YOGYAKARTA (JP): Under the blazing sun, five farmers harvested Taztar curicula silkworm cocoons on their cashew nut farm in Ngadirejo village, Wonogiri, Central Java. As at the beginning of every dry season, wild silkworms have swarmed over the cashew nut trees and devoured their leaves.

Garuda aborts takeoff in Tokyo TOKYO (AP): A Garuda Indonesia jumbo jet bound for the resort island of Bali aborted its departure from Tokyo's main international airport Saturday after the pilot detected engine trouble, an airport spokesman said. None of the 397 passengers or 18 crew members reported injuries.

Illiteracy 'reflects backwardness' JAKARTA (JP): Illiteracy is a symbol of ignorance and poverty, President B.J. Habibie said on Saturday in a speech to mark the 33rd International Illiteracy Day at Merdeka Palace. "Illiteracy is not merely a technical problem in one's life, it also touches the deepest elements, as it is a symbol of ignorance, poverty and backwardness," the President noted.

Bogel's Principle By Sartono Kusumaningrat Moon beams peeped through the cracks between the rickety wooden planks forming the walls of Bogel's house, while the structure's corrugated iron roof reflected the silvery light falling on it. As beautiful as the moon was, it could not take away the gloom that had enveloped Bogel from the time he was born until he had gotten married and had a son of his own.

Viagra sales boom despite being illegal By Stevie Emilia and Bruce Emond JAKARTA (JP): Although the government has yet to rule on Viagra's legality here, some local businesspeople have been making a lot of money from the drug without fear of possible legal action against them. Newspaper advertisements blatantly tout the internationally sought-after pills, ignoring warnings from the Ministry of Health that the sale of Viagra is illegal for the moment.

Filmmakers find cheap ways to produce films JAKARTA (JP): In this time of crisis when prices are skyrocketing, filmmakers are finding economical ways to reduce costs without sacrificing quality that can attract more sponsors and advertisers. There is no point in insisting on using expensive celluloid film if filmmakers cannot afford to buy it, according to director Marselli Sumarno. "To be practical, a filmmaker should use an ordinary video camera," Marselli says.

Spotlight Photo A: Museum Holli Hollitzer HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Balinese painter Sutedja Neka (right) poses in front of his Neka Museum in Ubud, Bali, with fellow painter I Made Sumadiyasa. The internationally famed museum, which has a collection of some of the finest Indonesian paintings, celebrated its 16th anniversary last month. Photo B: Hilton Jakarta Hilton International BEST COOKS: Winners of a quality warung (food stall) contest, held by Jakarta Hilton International from Aug. 1 to Aug.

Local artist laments May calamity in esthetic language By Ipong Purnama Sidi BANDUNG (JP): In the language of esthetics, well-known fine artist Sunaryo is bewitching art lovers with his works that lament the May tragedy. The works scream their messages out loud without verbal or written rhetoric. They are an exploration of ideas through the language of esthetics. Paintings hang randomly on the walls, sculptures lie all over the floor -- all wrapped in black cloth knitted, folded or tied up.

Local films in Studio 21: Paupers in the Palace? JAKARTA (JP): The recent decision by the country's giant cinema operator Studio 21 to open its well-furbished movie theaters to local films is highly welcomed by many, especially the film community and regular moviegoers. But some question the motive, alleging that the too-late offer is meant to help 21's ailing business because it may no longer be able to import Hollywood's films due to the crisis.

Team to decide on Viagra by November By Stevie Emilia JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian government has apparently lost the battle against Viagra pill traders. While the drug to overcome male erectile dysfunction is already on sale, albeit illegally, health ministry officials assisted by health experts are busy pooling ideas to determine if the drug should be allowed or banned. Meanwhile, the U.S.

Directors, producers keep conflict aflame JAKARTA (JP): Film distribution is the most delicate aspect of the Indonesian movie business. Producers often have to bow to distributors' will to get their movies distributed and screened so that they can recoup their spending. By and large, theater owners will also do anything to please distributors to get movies on a regular basis and keep their businesses afloat.

'Krismon', 'Krismom' or 'supermom' JAKARTA (JP): "Today we are having chicken corn casserole without the corn, French onion soup without the onion or there's pizza without the melted cheese on top," announced a friend at the dinner table.

Corruption at Bulog From Merdeka Apparently, the various criticisms against corrupt government officials have passed unheeded. Likewise the complaints against manipulators in rice imports. Corruption and manipulations at the National Logistics Agency (Bulog) was already happening before Bustanil Arifin became the strongest man in the agency.

PSSI delays punishment for errant players JAKARTA (JP): The All Indonesian Soccer Federation (PSSI) has delayed announcing the punishment for Mursyid Effendi and Kuncoro until Tuesday. The two defenders were responsible for a deliberate own goal which handed victory to Thailand in a recent Tiger Cup match. PSSI spokesman Tondo Widodo said the federation had called another meeting after coach Rusdy Bahalwan and his assistant Nandar Iskandar failed to show up for a hearing on Friday.

Film week held in honor of ailing Teguh Karya By Marselli Sumarno JAKARTA (JP): Over the past few years, Indonesia has lost many of its best film directors, such as Sjumandjaja, Wim Umboh, Arifin C. Noer, Nya Abbas Akub and Wahyu Sihombing. Sadly, the remaining few are no longer active for various reasons, such as poor health. Teguh Karya, one of the country's best directors, is among those on their sickbeds.

Habibie appoints loyal aide to head Bakin JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie has promoted his loyal advisor Lt. Gen. (ret.) Zaini Azhar Maulani to replace Moetojib as head of the State Intelligence Coordinating Board (Bakin), a minister said on Friday. Minister/State Secretary Akbar Tandjung said the replacement of Moetojib was merely routine because he had held the position for three 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 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 Skill Program: Keterampilan Keluarga 10:30 Music 11:30 Talk Show: Bincang-Bincang 12:15 p.m.