The salsa and STIX -- An unabashed nightspot review By David M. Schiller JAKARTA (JP): Just as the United States Senate last week took an oath of impartiality prior to starting the impeachment hearings of President Clinton, I also took an oath of honesty prior to penning this review of a Saturday night at STIX, a restaurant/nightclub located beneath the Park Lane Hotel in Kuningan, South Jakarta. So here it is, the good, the bad, gems and warts, the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but...

Anwar's plea for release on bail rejected KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): A Malaysian court on Saturday rejected a request by sacked finance minister Anwar Ibrahim, detained since September on sex and corruption charges, to be released on bail. The Court of Appeal in the capital dismissed Anwar's appeal against a lower court decision denying him bail. "I'm very sad," Anwar's wife Wan Azizah Wan Ismail told reporters after he was whisked away to spend his first Idul Fitri festival in prison.

Questioning the business of Indonesian military Bila ABRI Berbisnis (When the Armed Forces Goes Into Business); Indria Samego et al.; Mizan, Bandung, 1998; 220 pages; Rp 17,600. JAKARTA (JP): After more than 30 years as part of the New Order regime, the military (the Armed Forces [ABRI]) is now criticized by many circles in the community as being only a tool of the authoritative power.

Scalpers, higher fares give travelers 'annual' headache By I. Christianto JAKARTA (JP): Every year the government allows bus operators to impose a surcharge on passengers which locals call tuslah during the Muslim Idul Fitri holidays. The policy is intended as a sort of incentive for transport operators to render good services when an unusually high number of people scramble for transport to take them back home.

Who can stop people from 'mudik' for Idul Fitri holiday? JAKARTA (JP): It may have officials throwing up in their hands in frustration, but the annual exodus to hometowns for the Idul Fitri celebration is a hard-earned right which cannot be denied. So says noted psychologist Sartono Mukadis in defending the essential meanings of the arduous journey home, known as mudik. People need breaks from their mundane daily routines.

Exodus continue as Idul Fitri nears JAKARTA (JP): Thousands of people crowded around for hours at the city's major terminals on Saturday because of the lack of buses to transport them to their hometowns for the Idul Fitri celebrations. Even though the number of would be homegoing travelers at Pulo Gadung and Kampung Rambutan bus terminals in East Jakarta was not as big as in previous years, many of them were forced to wait for as much as one whole day to get their buses.

Crisis fail to take away joy of 'Lebaran' By Juliane Gunardono JAKARTA (JP): Teo could not stop smiling as he sat in his seat on the train from Senen to Semarang. "I'm going home!" he said laughing. "I am going to be with my family for Idul Fitri". It was a smile of joy and relief. His plan to return home for the post-fasting celebration, locally called Lebaran, was still up in the air last week.

Gents Hair & Beauty Salon Where should a man go in Jakarta for the most affordable luxury hair cut? At Hawaii Indah Gents Hair & Beauty Salon, specialists in men's hairstyling, you can choose from a wide range of quality services; such as: * Hair cutting, perming and coloring. * Hair straightening and hair oil treatment. Also at Hawaii Indah, you can take advantage of ear cleaning, shaving, manicures and pedicures, children's hair cutting, facials and foot reflexology.

Ramadhan time for Jakarta Sunday Maghrib 6:18 p.m. Monday Imsak 4:18 a.m. Subuh 4.28 a.m. Maghrib 6:18 p.m.

Reopened pulp mill: Continuing political problems PORSEA, North Sumatra (JP): What seems good to some is often bad for others. And that is exactly the case with the Indorayon pulp and rayon mill here. "We have suffered much because of Indorayon.

Michael pushes pop music limits in new album JAKARTA (JP): It would have been easy to dismiss George Michael some 13 years ago when he first strutted out in Wham with his partner Andrew Ridgley. Just another pretty boy singing paper weight bubble gum pop music. But to everyone's surprise, since the duo disbanded, Michael has grown, his music has matured, and his work continued to develop since his first solo single in 1985 Careless Whisper.

Prapti off to Malaysia By Yon Bayu Wahyono The ship swerved to the left, then, a little later, it suddenly veered to the right. All the passengers, by then sound asleep, were thrown out of their seats. They rolled over the deck of the ship when the vessel pitched hard. Prapti's hands were groping here and there trying to find something to hold on to. Luckily, she got hold of a support beam. She embraced the beam tightly, while at the same time praising the greatness of God.

Celebrating Idul Fitri amid crisis By Rita A. Widiadana The Muslim holidays Idul Fitri, which are only two days away, will be somewhat "special" in that they will be celebrated amid a sinking economy. The millions of seasonal travelers are not only intimidated by the acute problems such as doubled bus ticket prices and inadequate transportation but also street crimes. The Jakarta Post looks into the issue.

Singapore eyes 100-year water deal with Indonesia SINGAPORE (AFP): Singapore, currently dependent on Malaysia for most of its water supply, could turn to Indonesia as a source if Jakarta can assure a 100-year deal, a top official said in remarks published Saturday. Economic Development Board (EDB) chairman Philip Yeo was quoted as saying by the Straits Times that an US$8 billion, 22- year gas supply deal signed in Jakarta on Friday could be a model for a water agreement.

Spotlight Photo A: Buddhist JP/alx CAUSE FOR CONCERN: Buddhist monk Te Min (right) from Buddha Tzu Chi Indonesia Foundation presents basic commodities to residents of Kedaung Kali Angke, West Jakarta. The foundation, together with Tzu Chi activists from Malaysia, Singapore and Australia, distributed 50,000 packages of the commodities in Jakarta, Tangerang, Bekasi and Serang in West Java on Wednesday.

Five soldiers on trial over Aceh killings JAKARTA (JP): Five soldiers, including an Army major, appeared in a military court in Banda Aceh on Saturday, charged with assault and battery in the deaths of four Acehnese and the injury of dozens of others in police detention last week. Maj. Bayu Najib, commander of Battalion 113 Jaya Sakti until last week, was tried in a separate tribunal from privates Amsir, Ukim Harahap, Efendi and Marolaum Situmorang.

Foreign curators spark controversy in Bali By Putu Wirata DENPASAR, Bali (JP): The involvement of foreign curators in the Art Reflection '98 painting exhibition being held at the Darga Gallery here until Jan. 16 has sparked a bitter controversy. Gallery owner Jais Hadiana Dargawijaya made the decision to involve a number of foreign curators in the exhibition, including Jean Couteau, Chaterine Coutour and Pascal Lansberg.

Osmania: A great but little-known painter By Susi Andrini PADANG, West Sumatra (JP): If you happen to travel here, make sure to stop in at the home of painter Osmania in Kayu Tanam subdistrict. Os, as he is better known, is noted for his solitary nature, which contributed to his mature personality as a painter. Despite his 72 years, Os' enthusiasm for his art is undimmed. "My paintings are a blend of man and technology," he said.

TV today TVRI 6:00 a.m. News: Sari Berita Sepekan 7:00 Morning Focus 7:15 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 9:30 Creative Program: Widya Wahana 10:00 Family's Program: Etika 10:30 Music: Album Minggu Ini 11:30 Talk Show: Bincang-Bincang 12:15 p.m.

Lifting the mask on Indramayu dance legend By YR Prahista BANDUNG (JP): It is rare for people to fiercely defend their principles, especially when it is not financially rewarding. But Rasinah, one of the oldest mask dancers in Indramayu, West Java, counts among the exceptions. "I will keep on dancing until I no longer have the power to move," the 68-year-old said from her house in Pekandangan village in Indramayu Kota district. Rasinah considers dancing her "second soul".

WB names Baird RI director WASHINGTON (Dow Jones): The World Bank Friday named Mark Baird as its new country director for Indonesia as part of a wider restructuring of senior management. Baird replaces Dennis de Tray who is transferring to World Bank headquarters in Washington this month. A New Zealand national, Baird has been vice president of strategic resource management at the bank since February 1997 and has served previously on assignments in Indonesia and India.

Crisis a bar to annual family reunions By Rita A. Widiadana JAKARTA (JP): Like most migrants, Sumirah, a traditional herbal medicine vendor, dreamed of going home for the Idul Fitri holiday this year. In previous years, a number of herbal medicine and cosmetic companies provided free Idul Fitri transportation for hundreds of herbal medicine vendors and their families in Jakarta. But suddenly Sumirah's dream was shattered.

Tyson thinks he knows enough about Botha LAS VEGAS, Nevada (AP): Mike Tyson knows only two things about Francois Botha. "He's white, and he can't beat me," Tyson said of the opponent he will face Saturday night in a 10-round fight in the MGM Grand Garden. It will be Tyson's first fight since the suspension for biting Evander Holyfield's ears on June 28, 1997. Indosiar will broadcast live the fight on Sunday at 9 a.m. West Indonesia Time.

Slimmer pickings this Ramadhan By Stevie Emilia JAKARTA (JP): It's a tradition for Muslims to break their fast at dusk with sweet drinks or snacks before getting into their main meals. The appetizers include kolak (sweet compote stewed in coconut milk and brown sugar), cendol (glutinous rice balls stewed in coconut milk and brown sugar), dates, serabi (sweetened rice cake), klepon (glutinous rice balls filled with brown sugar) and lupis (glutinous rice cakes covered with brown sugar).

Something old, something new... JAKARTA (JP): When Ani wanted to borrow a hundred thousand rupiah from me and I only gave her half the sum, she was visibly disappointed. "I have to buy new clothes for Lebaran for my children and myself," she said, "and I heard that the costs of going back to my kampong has gone up, so this is definitely not enough." "I am sorry, Ani," I replied, "but it is krismon now and I can't afford to give you more at this time.

Women as pillars of the state From Republika Women's Day in December was marked by deep concern. In the past year, as the economic condition worsened, there were many cases involving women, such as the torture of migrant women workers abroad, their murder and rape and also the selling of young girls. Print and electronic media carried many reports on the cases. Although the causes of the incidents are many, a major factor must be the worsening economic condition of the country.

Sukarso sculpts head turners from dry, barren coconuts By Agus Maryono and Ngudi Utomo PURWOKERTO, Central Java (JP): Plant diseases and other scourges can rob coconuts of juice and their flesh, the solid white lining of the inner shell. Dry, barren coconuts like these, simply a bundle of thick fibers covering the small shell, are usually used as firewood or tossed away. They cannot be used to grow a new plant. But they are a living for Sukarso, 50, from Purwokerto, Central Java.