Art Summit awards for media coverage JAKARTA (JP): The Directorate General of Culture is scheduled on Friday to hand out awards to seven print and electronic media companies for their coverage of last year's Art Summit, which was held between September and October. The award ceremony will be held at Building F of the Ministry of Education and Culture's complex on Jl. Sudirman in South Jakarta, the event committee said on Thursday.

Little holiday cheer for Indonesian workers in HK By Sari Sartika Natley HONG KONG (JP): In late December, Hong Kong's Chek Lap Kok Airport was mobbed by Filipino domestic workers. They dragged luggage full of gifts and presents for their families. They were going home for Christmas. It was not the same for their Indonesian counterparts a couple of weeks later. This year, like in the past, Lebaran was a low- key event in Hong Kong.

Pressure on rupiah remains; stocks also down slightly JAKARTA (JP): The rupiah remained under pressure on Thursday, closing slightly down at 9,225 against the U.S. dollar, while stock prices ended the day 0.7 percent lower. Currency dealers said the rupiah hit an intraday low of 9,350 against the U.S. dollar in the morning following news that deliberation of political bills in the House of Representatives had hit a new snag.

Two retired generals summoned by police JAKARTA (JP): The National Police summoned two retired generals to give preliminary information on Wednesday about their suit against chief of the Supreme Advisory Council (DPA) A.A. Baramuli for an alleged slander. Lt. Gen. (ret.) Kemal A. Idris and Lt. Gen. (ret) Ali Sadikin arrived at the headquarters on Jl. Trunojoyo in South Jakarta accompanied by their lawyer M. Assegaff.

Minister denies taking bribe from businessmen JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Environment Panangian Siregar denied on Thursday he had taken a bribe from businessmen in the controversial planned importation of waste clay from Singapore. "I swear to God I haven't accepted anything to allow the waste importation plan to go ahead.

Just say no to the IMF From Neraca The Indonesian government should take necessary quick and bold corrective measures in the nation's economy following the failure of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to hit the target in its economic salvation program. First, the IMF must be asked to take responsibility for its incorrect predictions on the condition of an Indonesian economy which has become increasingly chaotic.

Social anarchy leading to disintegration Fear about social revolution gains strength as mass brawls and riots intensify throughout the country. Researcher Muhammad A.S. Hikam of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences believes that a social revolution will not occur. Question: Will the continuing mass brawls and rioting throughout the country lead to a social revolution?

Court turns down bankruptcy petition against 'ANteve' JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta Commercial Court turned down on Thursday a bankruptcy petition against local private television station ANteve, a unit of the Bakrie Group. The petition was jointly filed by Hong Kong-based IBJ Asia Ltd., Korea Commercial Finance Ltd and Seoul-based Hanareum Banking Corp.

ABRI bows to people's will on E. Timor JAKARTA (JP): Armed Forces (ABRI) Commander Gen. Wiranto vowed on Thursday the military would support the people if they wanted East Timor to be separated from Indonesia. Wiranto, who is also the minister of defense, however, warned the nation not to forget the sacrifices of the country, and of the soldiers and civilians who lost their lives to defend the territory's integration into Indonesia.