Yogyakarta's artist takes potshots at society's villains By Susi Andrini YOGYAKARTA (JP): Have you ever seen paddy grow on a mattress? Never? But you can see it at Cemeti Art House in Yogyakarta. Here the viewer will see and capture the restlessness of an artist called Edi Prabandono, 35, in an exhibit of his mixed media installation works which center on current affairs. The five works in the exhibition, which runs until Oct.

Italians to join Interfet CANBERRA (AP): A contingent of 200 Italian paratroopers will join the international peacekeeping force in East Timor, Italian officials in Australia said Saturday. The soldiers will leave the northern Australian city of Darwin early Monday and arrive in the East Timorese capital of Dili on the same day. The troops will be followed by an Italian navy contingent a few days later, the Italian embassy said in a statement.

The typical character of Indonesian capitalism JAKARTA (JP): You have two cows. You pledge the profits from the milk they will produce and from the milk their offspring will produce for the next 50 years as the sole collateral for a US$100 million loan from the bank owned by the industrial group you own. You then turn around and make an offer for the controlling stake of a state-owned oil production company with over $4 billion worth of hard assets.

Carlos Santana's music for the mature By Devi M. Asmarani JAKARTA (JP): When a once-famous artist suddenly makes a comeback after over a decade of nonproductivity, it usually raises one of two reactions: curiosity or skepticism.

Domestics helpers face danger at home and abroad JAKARTA (JP): Hundreds of women leave the country everyday to try their luck abroad as domestic helpers. The difficulties in finding jobs here and the large salaries offered by employment agencies has motivated them to travel as far as Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Middle Eastern countries. In Indonesia, a domestic helper earns between Rp 50,000 (US$6.25) and Rp 200,000 per month, depending on their experience and the mercy of their employers.

Streets deserted after two days of clashes JAKARTA (JP): The capital's major thoroughfares were virtually deserted on Saturday following two days of violent clashes between anti-Habibie protesters and security personnel. Few vehicles were seen on Jl. Sudirman and Jl. Gatot Subroto, located near the People's Consultative Assembly in Central Jakarta and the site of the worst of the protests.

Relax, folks, we have great names on the presidential list JAKARTA (JP): "One parabola and two internets," shouted the cafe owner to his cook after taking orders from his customers. Intrigued by such "sophisticated" names on the menu, I ordered the same, imagining that I would get special food that could make my day after a tiring argument in a meeting. But I was stunned at the sight of the food served by the waiter only a few minutes later.

Guess What? During the General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly, it seems like the barriers have been pulled down between ordinary people and the wives of high-ranking officials. It is true for Krisnina Maharani, or Nina, wife of the newly elected House of Representatives' speaker Akbar Tandjung. Like many people in the street, Nina learned about Akbar's appointment through television. Nina said she watched the entire election process at home until 3 a.m.

Barren land turned forest now in peril By Singgir Kartana YOGYAKARTA (JP): Nine years ago the Gadingsari coast, some 3 kilometers west of the Samas coast, was a spread-out barren area of dry and thick sand. It covered more than 30 hectares and went north for two kilometers from the edge of the south coast. In the afternoon the sun's rays burned the sand and stinging hot waves filled the air. Grass, including coarse grass, hardly grew.

Factions set to endorse Assembly's draft decrees JAKARTA (JP): All factions in the People's Consultative Assembly gave an initial agreement to nine draft decrees proposed by the working committee on Saturday. The factions also agreed to form four commissions assigned to finalize the drafts, which include constitutional amendments, State Policy Guidelines, the revocation of a 1978 decree on East Timor and Assembly internal rules.

Indonesian men's singles crash out in Danish quarters JAKARTA (Agencies): Indonesian men's singles shuttlers crashed out in the quarterfinals of the US$120,000 V6 Danish Open in Vejle, Denmark, on Friday evening. Third seeded Taufik Hidayat made an unexpected departure, bowing out to 1996 Olympic gold medalist Poul-Erik Hoyer-Larsen of Denmark 9-15, 11-15. The veteran Hoyer-Larsen will now face top seeded Sun Jun of China.

Expatriates stay calm amid anti-Australian sentiment By Mehru Jaffer JAKARTA (JP): Gone are the days when Australians would happily hop into anything that promised to keep them afloat to breeze into Indonesia at a whim or at will. Such was the spontaneity involved in the passionate love affair between the two neighbors. Made Wijaya first sailed in 1973 to Bali from Western Australia on a leaking 35-foot ketch.

Golkar may review Habibie's nomination JAKARTA (JP): Golkar Party chairman Akbar Tandjung, who was given the power to review the party's support for the presidential candidacy of incumbent B.J. Habibie by party executives on Wednesday, indicated on Saturday he may review Habibie's nomination if the President's accountability speech was rejected. "If the President's accountability speech is rejected, it is possible that we will reconsider (Habibie's candidacy)," Akbar said on Saturday afternoon.

PSIM, Persebaya ousted in Hamengkubuwono Cup YOGYAKARTA (JP): Defending soccer champion PSIM Yogyakarta swallowed a bitter pill when it lost to Indocement Cirebon 0-2 in the semifinals of the Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX Cup at Mandala Krida Stadium on Saturday. Indocement striker Eli Ibo took advantage of a corner kick by heading the ball, which PSIM goalkeeper Edi Rosadi failed to stop, to lead 1-0 in the 61st minute.

No cure for addiction to vintage automobile owners By Stevie Emilia JAKARTA (JP): Antiques will always hold a special appeal for some people. This includes not only china and furniture, but items ranging from coins to vintage cars. And once you fall in love with a certain type of antique, it gets in your blood. Like other hobbyists, many vintage car lovers spend most of their time on their hobby.

Social and cultural concerns dominate arts JAKARTA (JP): The development of fine arts in a country is always reflected in its culture, traditions and social and political conditions. This assertion appears to be borne out if we consider the majority of art works presented at the Sixth Indonesian Art Awards Competition. The event is held by the Indonesian Fine Arts Foundation (YSRI) in collaboration with the Philip Morris Group of Companies.

Spotlight Photo A: Aspirin JP/msa BLOOM OF HEALTH: A worker takes care one of aspirin's "tablets", which are flower arrangements made from 300 million edelweiss flowers and 75,000 fresh-cut chrysanthemums at the Soemantri Brodjonegoro soccer field in Kuningan, South Jakarta. The flowers, recorded in the Indonesia Museum of Records (MURI), are on display until Oct. 17 to mark the relaunching of Aspirin and its 100th anniversary.

Scholar calls for recognition of local cultures By Rita A. Widiadana JAKARTA (JP): The study of the archipelago's traditions attracts very few people in Indonesia. One of them is Pudentia Maria Purenti Sri Suniarti, chairwoman of the Association of Oral Traditions. She believes traditions and culture play significant roles in the nation-building process.

Indonesian women's pairs eye doubles tennis title JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian pairing of Irawati Moerid Iskandar and Wukirasih Sawondari will face off against compatriots Dea Sumantri and Mudarwati in the finals of the US$10,000 Indonesia Women's Circuit 3 at the Danamon tennis complex in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta.

Public pressure needed to stop Habibie Following heavy criticism over President B.J. Habibie's accountability speech, some may think his days are over, moreover with the controversial nomination by the Golkar Party of Gen. Wiranto for vice president. But political researcher Mochtar Pabottingi of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) said this cannot be taken for granted. Question: What is your general view of Habibie's accountability speech?

Fourth faction rejects speech JAKARTA (JP): The Love the Nation Democratic Party (PDKB) faction became the fourth faction in the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) to reject President B.J. Habibie's accountability speech, while the United Ummat Sovereignty faction stood alone on Saturday in its outright acceptance of the speech.

TV today TVRI 6:00 a.m. Morning News 7:00 Health and Fresh 8:00 Talk Show 9:00 News Break 9:50 Music 10:00 General Sessions of MPR 12:05 p.m. Talk Show 1:00 Music 2:00 News 2:30 General Sessions of MPR 4:00 Regional News 4:30 Religious Teachings 5:00 Documentary 5:30 TV Drama 6:00 Sports 6:30 News (in English) 7:00 Evening News 7:30 General Sessions of MPR 9:00 World News 9:30 General Sessions of MPR 10:30 Music and Mode 11:30 TV Drama 12:30 a.m. Late News Program 2 4:30 p.m.

Dharmawangsa presents Bel Canto Vocal Music Bel Canto (beautiful song) is an Italian term that describes a singing style popularized across 18th century Europe when great value was placed upon the dynamic beauty of the human voice. The Dhamarwangsa will host a series of Vocal Music Concerts dedicated to 500 years of music. This social calendar is held through May 2000. The Dharmawangsa Ballroom becomes a concert hall, with theater-style seating for limited guests.

Dreams come true for rising magician Deddy By I. Christianto JAKARTA (JP): He holds a metal spoon tightly and looks deeply at the object. And it bends. Magic? Yes, that's what Deddy Carbuzier demonstrates. But to him, it's not magic, it's mind power. Deddy does not like being called a magician, either. He prefers to dub himself a mentalist, an enchanter who performs mind games with his audience. Before he performs every trick, he informs his audience about what he is going to do.

Protesters brush off effects of tear gas with toothpaste JAKARTA (JP): Standing face to face with street protesters these days, security personnel could be forgiven for mistaking them for stereotypical Native American warriors due to the white lines running below their eyes. These white lines are made of toothpaste, and are not there for decorative purposes. Instead, this toothpaste "makeup" is meant to protect protesters from the effects of tear gas.

Entrepreneurs make a killing mixing 'jamu' with drugs By Agus Maryono PURWOKERTO, C. Java (JP): Banyumas province in Central Java produces some of the most well-known jamu (traditional medicine) in the country, with its products reaching throughout the country, including Sulawesi, Sumatra, Kalimantan and as far away as Irian Jaya. In fact, 80 percent of the jamu produced in the province is sold outside of Java.