Young puppeters contest organized JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Tourism, Art and Culture is organizing a Young Puppet Masters contest to cultivate interest and talent among the young generation in traditional cultures and to promote Indonesian cultures aboard. The contest, held in cooperation with Savindo Entertainment, opened on Friday night at the Sapta Pesona Auditorium in the ministry building, and will be held until Dec. 4.

Soeharto sad over Prabowo's dismissal JAKARTA (JP): Former president Soeharto could not hide his sadness when he heard recently that his son-in-law Lt. Gen. (ret) Prabowo Subianto was dismissed from the military for involvement in the abductions of political activists, sources said on Saturday. One source said Soeharto rarely talked with Prabowo, especially since his resignation as president on May 21, despite the fact that they live on the same street, Jl. Cendana, Central Jakarta.

Police to be soft on seat belt rule By Reiner Simanjuntak JAKARTA (JP): A regulation mandating the use of seat belts by drivers and front-seat passengers takes effect on Sept. 17. The ruling has been criticized, especially as its implementation comes amid the more than a year-old economic crisis which has sharply cut purchasing power. Despite the public outcry, the authorities argue they have the safety of motorists in mind. Earlier this week The Jakarta Post interviewed Lt. Col.

'Lontar' leaf engravings stuck in creative rut By Putu Wirata DENPASAR (JP): Tenganan, five kilometers north of the famed Candidasa beach, is well-known for its ritual called perang pandan, in which adult villagers beat each other with pandanus leaves until they bleed all over their bodies. It is equally renowned for its locally made cloth, gringsing, a top tourist draw, and engravings on palmyra palm (lontar) leaves.

Spotlight Photo A: Covey JP/bsr NEW IDENTITY: David Covey (right), a son of author Stephen R. Covey, who wrote the much acclaimed book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, at a meeting to mark the new name launching of Covey Leadership Center for Indonesia, now known as Franklin Covey Organization Services. During last Thursday's meeting, Covey was flanked by Nugroho Supangat (left), an executive of Covey's office here.

Guess What? Guruh Soekarnoputra Noted man of the arts Guruh Soekarnoputra is turning his attention to folk arts to help Indonesia shed its image as a poor country which pays little attention to its cultural riches. Guruh said last week he was less involved in folk art in the past not because of a personal dislike, but because there was no sponsor interested in performances for lower-income people.

'Krismon' dampens expectations of seat belt sales boom By Primastuti Handayani and Sugianto Tandra JAKARTA (JP): An actual demand for seat belts? Yes, but sellers say they don't expect a boom. As usual these days, they blame it on krismon, the cliche acronym for the monetary crisis. "Many can't even get over sembako (basic essentials) problems, so it's just obvious this business won't be much of a boom," said Apo, a merchant in the Sawah Besar area in Central Jakarta, on Thursday.

TV contribution Now that we are all in the spirit of reform, I call on the director general of radio, television and film and the minister of information to abolish the monthly contribution fees of state TV station TVRI. In view of the long-dragging economic crisis, TVRI must be financially independent and start airing commercials and must, therefore, stop collecting TVRI contribution fees.

Security forces guard Purwakarta factories PURWAKARTA, West Java (JP): About 100 police and troopers were ordered on Saturday to guard four factories in the Jatiluhur dam area, where an industrial dispute degenerated into full-blown violence on Friday, inflicting great material losses. The order was given to prevent further unrest after 4,000 workers of Indonesia's largest polyester producer, PT Indorama Synthetics, went on a rampage when their demand for a pay rise was not met on Friday.

The day the postmaster took us for a ride JAKARTA (JP): Since the monetary crisis started last year, Indonesia has become one of the cheapest countries in the world. Well for some people that is, such as expatriates and anyone else who has enough foreign currency to spend. For the rest of us, life is just getting more and more expensive every day.

Malaysian police look into new reports against Anwar KUALA LUMPUR (AP): Malaysia's top police chief said Saturday that ousted deputy prime minister tried to interfere with a criminal investigation against him. Inspector-General of Police Rahim Noor told a news conference that police were investigating four new police reports accusing Anwar Ibrahim of tampering with evidence and intimidating witnesses.

Mysterious containers Bisnis Indonesia in its Aug. 21 edition reported that at least 40 containers of garbage had accumulated at Tanjung Priok Port over eight years. The port authority alleged having difficulty in finding the owner or importer because the address of the consignee was fictitious. The spokesman of the port authority further alleged that there were 7.5 million tons of goods and 26 containers containing various commodities unclaimed at the port.

Daniel Lev helps to bring some imagination By Ati Nurbaiti JAKARTA (JP): In the three weeks that Daniel Lev was in Jakarta, he said he was in confusion.

Guess What? Amien Rais Amien Rais, a leading figure in the reform movement, did something different at Purna Budaya Building in Yogyakarta on Wednesday night. He did not make a speech or preach on the values of Islam as usual. Instead, he read out poems. Wearing a casual long-sleeved shirt and dark-colored trousers, he read out the poems in a flat, clear voice, as though he was orating or preaching.

Belt up or shut up! What the motorists have to say JAKARTA (JP): Belt up! You'll be likely to hear that order a lot more from Sept. 17, when the government enforces a traffic rule requiring all front seat passengers to wear safety belts. Some object to it on the grounds that it's inconvenient and pointless wearing a seat belt in Jakarta, considering the city's bumper-to-bumper traffic.

Life not easy after heart surgery By Tri Hafiningsih JAKARTA (JP): Six-year-old Aji Bangun seems no more physically different from any other boy his age. He is just as active as most of his friends. But a closer look shows a boy who is actually too small for his age. Weighing a mere 16 kg, Aji's tiny frame is able to squeeze under a low table or hide under a chair. His mother, Rumsinah, and father, Agus, can carry him around with ease. Aji had heart surgery three years ago.

Counterfeit goods business remains good amid crisis Text and photos by P.J. Leo SIDOARJO, East Java (JP): Aby, 50, is no ordinary leather goods shop owner. One of his main tasks is to spy on upmarket shops that sell imported products in major cities, such as Surabaya. He and his wife, who run a shop in the industrial estate of Tanggulangin, 24 kilometers south of Surabaya, counterfeit famous foreign brands and sell them at lower prices. "We cater to demand," says Aby, a father of three.

S'pore defeats host Vietnam 1-0 in Tiger Cup final HANOI (Agencies): Singapore stunned a partisan crowd into silence on Saturday when they defeated hosts Vietnam 1-0 to lift the Tiger Cup. A solitary Sasi Kumar goal in the 71st minute gave Singapore their first Southeast Asian title in a game dominated by the home side. After a goalless first half in which both defenses were on top, it was Vietnam who looked the more likely to snatch the lead as the second period kicked off.

A quick glimpse at Indonesian women poets through their work Antologi Wanita Penyair Indonesia (An Anthology of Poems by Indonesian Women Poets); By Korrie Layun Rampan; Balai Pustaka, Jakarta, December 1997; xxiv + 539 pp BOGOR (JP): Indonesia is fertile soil for poetry. It is generally understood that a poem reflects the contemplation of the poet, who builds up images born of his contemplative mind. This creative productivity is found among both men and women poets.

'The Miracle' gives birth to a new star By Helly Minarti JAKARTA (JP): She is currently dubbed the rising star of Indonesian pop music, with her debut album Keajaiban (The Miracle) selling like hotcakes despite the economic crisis. But for her, the success is not a miracle. "It's the result of a years-long process," the 23-year-old Reza said. She launched the album a year ago with her trademark husky voice singing, a type of music slanting off the trend by then.