German-Indonesian business ties shining despite crisis The German business engagement in Indonesia looks back on a long and proud history, some German firms have been active in Indonesia for more than 100 years. Today, more than 150 German firms are present in Indonesia. Accumulated German direct investment to Indonesia is approximately Deutschmark (DM) 2 billion, and is concentrated mainly in the fields of telecommunications, metal works, pharmaceuticals, chemical products and power plants.

Panasia Indosyntec stays on top at basketball meet By Ivy Susanti SURABAYA (JP): Defending league champion Panasia Indosyntec of the Eastern division beat Western division club Indonesia Muda (IM) Texmaco 60-49 in day-four action of the A Mild Kobatama National Basketball League's third season at the Pacific basketball arena here on Saturday. IM came into the game with one victory and two losses, while Panasia was still unbeaten in its seven games.

Fifty years of German-Indonesian friendship By Ambassador Dr. Heinrich Seemann In 1999, Germany celebrates a number of anniversaries, the most import one being the 50th birthday of the first solid democratic state on German soil, the Federal Republic of Germany, established in 1949. At the same time, Germany commemorates the 10th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall on Nov. 9, 1989, which brought freedom and democracy also to the Germans in the East.

Growing concern persists over Ujung Kulon National Park Text and photos by PJ Leo UJUNG KULON, West Java (JP): Mention Ujung Kulon, meaning literally the western tip, and you call to mind the habitat of the single-horned Javan rhinoceros (rhinoceros sondaicus). As the forest in Ujung Kulon is home to rare flora and fauna, it remains a reserve area on the island of Java which is one of the most densely populated islands in the world.

Javanese gamelan revives a hit in Chicago By Riyadi CHICAGO (JP): The sounds of a Javanese gamelan orchestra resonate in the windy city of Chicago, sending heavenly melodies from Indonesia and soothing some of the sad feelings about the country.

Golkar calls for early evaluation of Habibie JAKARTA (JP): The Golkar Party agreed on Saturday to move forward its executive meeting which will decide whether to maintain the party's nomination of incumbent B.J. Habibie for the presidency. Golkar chairman Akbar Tandjung said the meeting was expected to take place on Oct. 12 or Oct. 13, depending on when the working assembly of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) completed its deliberations.

Teenagers hungry for erotic magazines By Agus Maryono PURWOKERTO, Central Java (JP): Five young boys in junior high school uniform were oblivious to their surroundings; they were joking with each other close to a sidewalk newspaper vendor not far from the campus of Jenderal Soedirman University here. Once in a while they burst into laughter as they competed with each to check out FILM, a tabloid-sized magazine with a front cover featuring a woman posing in a sexually alluring style.

Ujung Kulon on alert for forest fires UJUNG KULON, West Java (JP): "Command Post I, Command Post I -- a fire is breaking out around the protected forest. Please dispatch the fire brigade to extinguish it," said an Ujung Kulon National Park ranger into his communications radio, asking for help. Moments later, a fire brigade of forest rangers carrying fire- fighting equipment rushed into the area to extinguish the fire, now beginning to rage in the forest.

If you can't act smartly, can't you at least speak smartly? JAKARTA (JP): It is 6 p.m. and it is show time. It is just like any another day. The time marks the most entertaining segment of TV shows in Indonesia, where you can see distinguished people act like children to entertain people. And what incredibly talented actors they are. They can act so convincing without any scenarios, making plots that are so annoying and just like soap operas, complete with lies, accusations, scoldings, etc.

Irene takes silver in junior c'ships JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's young running sensation Irene Truitje Joseph won silver in the women's 100 meter dash at the eighth Asia Junior Championships at the National Stadium in Singapore on Friday evening. Irene, the 1999 Southeast Asian Games gold medalist in the event, clocked a time of 11.89 seconds, far from her personal best of 11.56 seconds set at the Games.

DEG continues to support investments in Indonesia Despite an ongoing monetary crisis in Indonesia, the German Investment and Development Company (DEG), continues to support financing of investments by both local and foreign private companies in Indonesia. DEG is Germany's finance and consultancy institution for private-sector development in Africa, Asia and Latin America, as well as Central Europe and Eastern Europe.

Interfet clarifies 'hot-pursuit' policy DILI, East Timor (Agencies): International forces in East Timor on Saturday reserved the right to return fire into West Timor if under attack from across the border. But a spokesman for the force striving to restore order to East Timor suggested foreign troops would stop short of pursuing militias into the neighboring Indonesian-ruled province. "Our mandate is quite clear. We're here to provide security in East Timor.

Plane's arrival only entertainment in Irian Jaya highlands By Neles Tebay MOANEMANI, Irian Jaya (JP): For many who live in a city, a plane is just a means of transportation. Most people do not pay much attention to plane arrivals. People go to the airport to travel to another place or to pick up somebody coming from somewhere by plane. However, for those living in the central highlands of Irian Jaya, the arrival of a plane is eventful. It is the only entertainment.

Shuttlers donate money to refugees JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian shuttlers donated Rp 6 million (US$730) in cash and used clothing to East Timorese refugees in East Nusa Tenggara. Badminton coach Joko Supriyanto, who coordinated the donation, said on Friday at the Indonesian Badminton Center in Cipayung, East Jakarta, that the donation demonstrated that athletes cared about the suffering of fellow Indonesians.

Parties hail nominees amid backroom politics JAKARTA (JP): With a presidential showdown set for Oct. 20, diehard supporters of the leading candidates lauded their nominees as shoe-ins for victory amid increased back-room politics on the sidelines of the General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR). Golkar Party Assembly member Marwah Daud Ibrahim expressed optimism for incumbent B.J. Habibie's nomination. "Golkar is confident B.J.

Legal expert regrets RI law still takes sides By T. Sima Gunawan JAKARTA (JP): Two dogs and 15 goldfish. Add to it a spacious yard full of flowers and fruit trees like banana, jackfruit and rambutan. They are what make the house of Harkristuti Harkrisnowo a home. And the sound of music. "I love classical, jazz, Dixieland, Latin American music, all kinds of music," said the head of the criminal department of the School of Law of the University of Indonesia.

U.S. military in Asia urged SINGAPORE (AP): U.S. Secretary of Defense William Cohen said Saturday that the U.S. military presence in Asia has a beneficial effect on economies in the region, including China's. "I'm absolutely convinced that without a strong U.S. presence in the region, there would be a competition among a number of countries for a presence here," Cohen told reporters in Singapore.

MPR set to elect president on Oct. 20 JAKARTA (JP): After months of uncertainty, Indonesians will know on Oct. 20 who will lead the country into the next millennium. Members of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) agreed on Saturday to bring forward the presidential election to Oct. 20, with the vice president to be elected and sworn in the following day before the General Session is officially closed. Assembly members had been debating for two days on the timetable for the election.

Taking a fresh look at Soeharto's New Order Suharto, Indonesia's Last Sultan; By Keith Loveard; Horizon Books Singapore, 1999; 400 pages; US$26 SINGAPORE (JP): Soeharto wants to be remembered as a hero. Popular Indonesian history describes him valiantly leading the Army to victories against Dutch imperialists and communist assassins. He is portrayed as a good man: a family man and rural man who sacrificed everything for his country.

MPR disposes of regional representatives faction JAKARTA (JP): The People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) decided on Saturday night to dispose of the regional representatives faction, and introduce the interest group faction instead. The decision was taken in a vote, in which 379 out of 640 people attending were in favor. Based on the vote, Assembly factions will now comprise of political parties, the military and interest group.

The logic of form in Ibnu's wooden sculptures By Chandra Johan JAKARTA (JP): The road of Indonesian sculpture is a silent one. When this nation is in turbulence, the art of painting appears and grows in unison with the national struggle. Chaos is reflected with lines and colors in two-dimensional expressions. When the economy in this country started to improve a little, painting charged into the market.