Tiga Rupa expo promotes leading young artists By Amir Sidharta LEGIAN, Bali (JP): Unlike the typical "hotel art exhibition" you can see in Jakarta, often featuring idyllic images that can easily be appreciated by most hotel guests, the Tiga Rupa art exhibition at the Hotel Padma here features art works that ask for a little more attention. The exhibition presents works by three leading young Indonesian artists: Ivan Sagito, Made Djirna, and Sutjipto Adi.

Turtledove breeders singing a happy tune By Asip Agus Hasani YOGYAKARTA (JP): Turtle dove breeders in this ancient town whistle happy tunes now as the economic crisis has thrust other businesses into the jaws of bankruptcy. Major turtle dove (perkutut) sellers have reported they are overwhelmed by the rising demand for high-quality song birds, especially perkutut Bangkok (Bangkok turtle dove). As the name suggests, bird sellers claim the doves are imported from Thailand.

Civil servants air their thoughts on politics JAKARTA (JP): The people's long-time demand for civil servants to keep their distance from political organizations gained a new momentum with the fall of the New Order in May last year. Civil servants, whose number is estimated at five million, have played a decisive role in helping the dominant political group Golkar win every election in the past.

Slamet Rahardjo still full of life at 50 By Stevie Emilia JAKARTA (JP): For many people, turning 50 is like beginning a new chapter in life -- a time to reflect on the past and think of what still lies ahead. Slamet Rahardjo Djarot, Indonesia's leading actor-director who celebrated his 50th birthday on Jan. 21, did just that. On his birthday, he shunned extravagant parties, instead choosing to spend the day with his family.

U.S urges caution on RI WASHINGTON (AFP): Warning that political unrest could strike Indonesia this year, the U.S. State Department on Friday urged U.S. nationals to 'consider carefully' whether to travel there. "The political and economic situation is unsettled and is likely to remain so leading up to the June 1999 parliamentary elections and the selection of a new president a few months later," the department said in a statement.

Titi DJ goes it alone in juggling family and music By Helly Minarti JAKARTA (JP): Her friends know her as the easygoing Titi DJ, chipper and taking life light. The public knows her as a singer, a popular emcee, talented actress and sometime comedian. But she identifies her first love as singing. "I always wanted to be a singer since I started off from scratch." As a teenager, she frequently appeared on the state television network, long before the advent of private TV stations.

Civil servants seek neutrality Despite the House of Representatives' compromise, the prolonged polemic on where civil servants' political loyalty should go to will likely continue. The Jakarta Post's Aan Suryana, Edith Hartanto, Dwi Atmanta, Ridwan Max Sijabat, Riyadi, Yogita Tahil Ramani and photographer Oka Budhi Yogaswara looked into the issue.

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 11:30 Talk Show: Bincang-Bincang 12:15 p.m.

Civil servants continue as centerpiece of next polls JAKARTA (JP): Needless to say, Golkar's never-say-die efforts to keep the civil servants corps under its full control during the deliberation of a new elections bill now underway mirrors its great dependence on the government workers. In each of the last six elections, civil servants contributed much to Golkar's lion's share of votes and its successful bid to maintain a single majority in the House of Representatives.

Korpri independency vital for honest and fair elections By Edith Hartanto and Riyadi JAKARTA (JP): Feisal Tamin came under the spotlight recently when he made a threat to turn the five-million-strong Indonesian Civil Servant Corps (Korpri) he chairs into a political party. It was a response to a House of Representatives deliberation over a bill which suggests preserving the involvement of the corps in political parties.

SilkAir raises offer to families of crash victims SINGAPORE (Reuters): Singapore's SilkAir has nearly doubled its compensation offer for relatives of the 104 victims killed in the country's worst-ever air disaster after the original amount was criticized by bereaved family members. The regional subsidiary of flag carrier Singapore Airlines Ltd is now offering Singapore $232,000 (US$140,000) per victim to families.

Understanding the simple success of Supardi By Bernardus Djonoputro JAKARTA (JP): In the post "Asian miracle" era we live in, there is a rather simple man whom the people around the tennis court where he works affectionately call "Unyil", from the popular puppet show that appeared on TVRI on Sundays for almost 20 years, give or take a few. His real name is Supardi. He is no more than 150 cm tall (hence the nickname Unyil) and has very simple features.

Death toll increases to 52 in Maluku communal rioting JAKARTA (JP): Fears of renewed violence hang over the Maluku capital of Ambon as the estimated death toll from religious clashes there has risen to 52. Among the latest victims were five villagers who were stabbed and burned by a mob from another village only hours after Armed Forces (ABRI) Commander Gen. Wiranto ended his short visit to the region.

Spotlight Photo E: Exhibition Cindelaras Panca Manunggal ETHNIC FURNITURE: Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Marzuki Usman (third left) has a close look at ethnic furniture on exhibit in Yogyakarta. Marzuki opened the Ethnic Furniture, Gifts and Craft '99 held by PT Cindelaras Panca Manunggal at Hotel Natour Garuda, Yogyakarta, on Jan. 17.

Spirituality gives meaning to Yanuar's works By Putu Wirata DENPASAR, Bali (JP): Following a series of successful exhibitions, artist Yanuar Ernawati is holding an exhibition at Chedi Gallery here. The 40-year-old painter from Padang, West Sumatra, is exhibiting 24 of her artworks at Chedi Gallery from Jan. 16 through Feb. 26.

No to Islamic state Aged 63, I am a retired official of the Ministry of Finance. I have kept up with the historic journey of the Indonesian nation from the Dutch colonial era until now. I have experienced the ups and downs of the struggle waged by this nation. I witnessed the proclamation of the independence of Indonesia on Aug. 17, 1945 and the establishment of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia based on Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution.

Number of people traveling during Idul Fitri falls by 14% JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Communications Giri Suseno said on Saturday that the number of people traveling during this year's Idul Fitri holiday fell by 14 percent from 9.7 million last year to 8.4 million. "The number of passengers up to the second day of the Idul Fitri celebration on Wednesday was originally predicted to fall only by 8 percent," the minister said in Cirebon, West Java. Accompanied by M.

All we need is a good sense of humor JAKARTA (JP): "I have a great idea," shouted Biran, a friend who has diabetes. His has already lost one of his legs to the disease. "When I die I want to preserve my body and display it at the Senayan traffic circle, so that everybody that passes is reminded of the disease. "It could be quite a laugh. I'm still sexy, aren't I?" Biran is a sculptor whose works have been collected by many.