New breed of on-line traders beats recession By Ahn Mi-young SEOUL (DPA): When Kim Ki-Moon, 35, lost his job as a computer programmer in a construction company to the South Korean economic crisis, he began a frantic search for work. Twenty months later, still without formal employment, he is much more relaxed and rarely thinks about his old 2.5 million won a month (US$2,100) position.

Labor export sector lets down unskilled workers By Ridwan M. Sijabat JAKARTA (JP): Life is hard for both Maemunah and Sabrina (not their real names), who worked as domestic helpers in Saudi Arabia. Both of them lost their jobs last month. Maemunah was dismissed because her employer was not satisfied with her performance, while in Sabrina's case, it was because of sexual abuse.

E-entrepreneurs: Who are they? JAKARTA (JP): Arif and Yenny are not exactly what you would call avid Internet users. They hardly even use computers themselves. Surely, not the typical E-entrepreneur profile. What this couple does best is running PT Omnimedia Citraglobal, probably the largest mail order company in Indonesia, with 14 years experience. Each year they send out hundreds of thousands of catalogs.

The vital role of museum curators By Chandra Johan JAKARTA (JP): Following developments in other fields over the past 10 years, the world of visual arts also has grown significantly, both on the business side as well as in the discourse surrounding this world. The striking development in the business side of the visual arts is shown in the number of galleries which continue to open and the never-ending exhibitions in art centers, galleries, cultural parks, hotels and office buildings.

Guess What? Some women would do anything in their power to pose for Playboy magazine, but for Jodi Ann Paterson it was really not that hard. Her exotic look she inherited from her Indonesian mother enabled her to be selected as the magazine's October centerfold. Born in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, Paterson, the second child of an Indonesian mother and an American father, she did not tell her parents until she started posing for the magazine. "They supported my decision.

Grandmaster Utut to face 1,000 rivals JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's Grandmaster Utut Adianto will face 1,000 chess players in Surabaya from Nov. 27-28 in an effort to break the world record. "I'm ready for the big day, although I felt doubtful at the beginning whether I could face 1,000 chess players in 48 hours without a break," he said, as quoted by Antara on Friday. Utut is exercising by walking for three hours a day.

Biyan, Baron delight Jakarta's fashion crowd By Rita A. Widiadana JAKARTA (JP): The catwalk was unusually enclosed with big white screens, while dozens of skinny models walked on the runway presenting the latest millennium collections of one of Indonesia's most sought-after fashion designers, Biyan Wanaatmadja. In the Nov. 5 show at Hotel Mulia, Biyan, accompanied by textile designer Baron Manangsang, delighted Indonesia's fashion- conscious crowd with a series of feminine and luxury frocks.

Ministers arrive in rebellious Aceh BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): State Minister of Human Rights Affairs Hasballah M. Saad returned to his restive homeland on Saturday to pave the way for a dialog between President Abdurrahman Wahid and Aceh leaders later this month. "I come here to visit my brothers.

Aspac, Bhinneka, IM Texmaco start well JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia Muda (IM) Texmaco started the sixth series of the 1999 A Mild Kobatama national basketball league with optimism and gained a 73-51 victory over Bima Sakti Nikko Steel in the series' opening at the Senayan basketball stadium on Saturday.

Otto gives Soni Keraf 100 days By Rita A. Widiadana BANDUNG (JP): Environmental awareness begins at home, said Otto Soemarwoto, the environment guru from the University of Padjadjaran in Bandung, West Java. The 74-year-old man used to accompany his grandchildren walking to school, which is only a half kilometer away from his house on Jl. Cimandiri in Bandung.

Kembara program brings children closer to nature Text and photos by P.J. Leo CISARUA, West Java (JP): It is not necessary to wait until you grow up to learn about conservation and the protection of flora and fauna. Indeed, the sooner you learn the better.

Spotlight Photo A: BNI JP/msa AUTOMATIC SERVICE: Bank BNI president director Widigdo Sukarman (left) refills his simPATI prepaid card through the bank's TelePlus and PhonePlus automatic service, while Telkomsel's director of commerce Hasnul Suhaimi (right) looks on. The Bank launched on Friday the automatic service at its main office on Jl. Sudirman in Central Jakarta.

Ska swings its beat across Indonesia By Endi Aras JAKARTA (JP): In 1995, Brian Rosenthal conducted research which he published on the Internet (www.skamusic.com). He reported that Ska music was born in the former British colony of Jamaica which became a member of the Commonwealth in 1962. At the end of 1999, Ska music, now well-known to the public, has suddenly appeared and almost dominates the music market in Indonesia.

NU congress to discuss politics, Viagra BANDUNG (JP): The Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) is identified with traditional Islam. Traditional in the sense that its supporters mostly comprise Muslims living in rural areas. However, this does not mean the development of NU thinking is "boorish" and behind the times. NU thinking is so advanced that it has become a locomotive in the determination of Islamic laws, especially on the subject of fikih (Islamic law).

The good, the bad and the Oriental disco By Alan Smithee JAKARTA (JP): The Oriental Disco, one of Jakarta's very first and finest discotheques, reopens at the Hilton Hotel after a major face-lift and more than a five-year absence. My initial reaction to this announcement was a very unenthused "whoop-dee- doo!" as I twirled an index finger in the air.

Guess What? The human touch is everything for batik master Obin, leaving her willing to take the time to personally address each invitation for her coming exhibition. "I don't want my friends to receive printed invitations. I want to give a human touch (to the exhibition), starting from its invitation," said Obin, whose real name is Josephine Komara. Titled Toko Kain (Fabric Shop), the exhibition featuring 300 fabrics will be held from Nov. 15 to Nov.

RI shuttlers reach Asia Cup final in Ho Chi Minh City JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian shuttlers reached the final of the US$100,000 JVC Asia Cup in Ho Chi Minh City after defeating top seeds China 3-0 in Saturday's semifinals. First singles Taufik Hidayat, world ranked three, had to work hard to upset world number one Sun Jun 15-12, 15-14. Both players played world-class games, but Taufik was more accurate in the first game to win 15-12.

Clinton warms up to Gus Dur By Kornelius Purba WASHINGTON, D.C. (JP): President Bill Clinton said on Friday the United States would support the new Indonesian government's efforts in building democracy, including its struggle to maintain territorial integrity amid growing regional discontent. Clinton met with President Abdurrahman Wahid during the latter's stopover in the U.S. capital on his way to Salt Lake City, Utah, for medical treatment.

Sebastian Gunawan fashions a new look By Agni Amorita JAKARTA (JP): A man with principle. That's how we should describe fashion designer Sebastian Gunawan, who will present on Monday, Nov. 15 his second line collection called Votum at the Ballroom in the Mulia Hotel, Jakarta. More than 75 of Votum's latest creations are set to be shown.

Koran puts sexes on an equal level Argumen Kesetaraan Jender Perspektif Al-Qur'an (Gender Equality Arguments, Koran Perspective); Author: Dr. Nasaruddin Umar MA; Publisher: Paramadina; August 1999; 334 pages; Rp 45,000 JAKARTA (JP): To put it succinctly, the Koran shows gender equality. Although it acknowledges distinctions between women and men sexually, it rejects discrimination against either sex.

Indonesian short films challenge the industry By Gotot Prakosa JAKARTA (JP): For those of you who missed the event, the Indonesian Independent Film-Video Festival took place late last month. The program generated wide interest among young people who admire independent films. Stimulated by many different ideas, the youth made the films on their own initiative. They also bore all costs involved (most of them were made at very low cost).

Islamic boarding schools yield national leaders The following two stories on this page are written by The Jakarta Post correspondent M.M.I. Ahyani in conjunction with the 30th congress of the Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama at the Lirboyo pondok pesantren (Muslim boarding school) in Kediri, East Java, from Nov. 21 to 27. BANDUNG (JP): There is a saddening but prevailing stereotype of pesantren (Islamic boarding schools) and the santri, their students.

De Lone to meet Carlsson in final KUALA LUMPUR (JP): Erika De Lone of the U.S. will face Asa Carlsson of Sweden in the final of the US$180,000 Wismilak International '99 after they won their semifinals on Saturday. Unseeded De Lone had an easy match against Rita Grande of Italy 6-3, 6-2, while Carlsson had to pump out her energy to eliminate Joannette Kruger of South Africa 7-6 (7-5), 7-5. Grande, cheered by local spectators, failed to overcome De Lone's crossing strokes.

East Java 'pesantren' treats the mentally ill By Gin Kurniawan BOJONEGORO, East Java (JP): If you look at it from the outside, this three-floored building looks like other pondok pesantren (traditional Muslim boarding school) as indicated on its name plate. But you will hear no santri (students of the school) chanting praises to God or reciting verses from the Koran. Instead, you will see a heart-rending sight before you: dozens of men and women standing with their legs shackled by iron chains.

Sigit is ready for new challenge after suspension JAKARTA (JP): Nov. 15, 1998, was the most unforgettable day for Indonesia men's doubles shuttler Sigit Budiarto as the International Badminton Federation (IBF) announced he was banned from competition for using anabolic steroid. Sigit claimed that he accepted the decision but he thought at the moment that his career would be over.

Telkom's front line provides patient and friendly service By I. Christianto JAKARTA (JP): Being patient and friendly is the key to being a telephone operator, especially when you have to take hundreds of calls a day like those who work in the information center of state-owned telecommunications service company PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia (Telkom) in Jakarta.

Cartoon exhibition sizes up a changing society By Chris Brummitt JAKARTA (JP): From their first appearance in the mid 19th century, cartoons have been a medium for social criticism and commentary. The time it takes to draw them means they are ideally suited for capturing the mechanics of a society in rapid change. Following in this tradition are the cartoonists currently exhibiting their work at the Japanese Cultural Center, on the 2nd floor of the Summitmas 1 building, Jl.

TV today TVRI 6:00 a.m. Morning News 7:00 Health and Fresh 8:00 Children's Program 9:30 Cooking Program 10:00 Music 11:00 TV Drama 12:15 p.m. Comedy 1:00 TV Series 2:30 Travel 3:00 Children's Song 3:30 Soccer: Indonesia vs Hongkong (live) 5:30 Religious Teachings 6:00 Sports 6:30 News (in English) 7:00 Evening News 7:30 TV Drama 8:00 Music 9:00 World News 9:30 TV Drama 10:30 Music 11:35 Late News Program 2 4:30 p.m.

Becoming part of Indonesia From Sinar Pagi Assimilation, or the Indonesian pembauran, can be taken to mean a mixture, referring to relationships among people within a country. This is particularly true for Indonesia whose population has many ethnic groups and various nonindigenous people, the majority of which are Indonesian citizens.

The delicate art of complaining JAKARTA (JP): What is white and round and emits a shrill high- pitched bleat when provoked? Sorry to say, but it is me in the act of making a complaint. So much to gripe about, so little time. Hoity-toity restaurants which pile on the attitude but lump you with almost inedible fare at choking prices. Taxis which crawl along on a hope and a prayer as a veritable menagerie of creepy-crawlies jostle to make a home out of your person.