Classic Indonesian films receive rare showing By Marselli Sumarno JAKARTA (JP): From its independence in 1945 until today, Indonesia has produced some 2,000 feature films. That is not a big quantity compared with the output from India and the United States where film-making is already an industrial undertaking. However, it is not easy to determine, out of this relatively small number, titles which may appropriately be categorized as classic works.

Climbers short of funds, high on enthusiasm By Chris Brummitt JAKARTA (JP): "There has been a disaster." Such was the news on Tuesday morning at the headquarters of the Indonesian Rock Climbing Federation (FPTI), located in a quiet street in South Jakarta. "Kardi was robbed on the bus last night from Yogyakarta. US$400, S$350 and Rp 1 million, all her traveling expenses are gone," said Rosyid.

Lubis contributed new genre in decorative paintings By Ipong Purnama Sidhi JAKARTA (JP): Yogyakarta is certainly no Paris, but both bustling cities share something in common: they are good places for artists to start on the path to fame. Yogyakarta is often likened to a kerosene lamp in a dark paddy field which attracts insects from all over the place. At least scores, but probably hundreds of artists have arrived here to develop their careers in the ancient city. This happens all the time.

Making ends meet in an East Jakarta slum By Des Price JAKARTA (JP): Cipinang Besar slum acts as a base in the capital for poor West Javanese families, with many subsidizing their low incomes from rice growing by scavenging in the city, where there is a plentiful supply of scrap materials. It is home to 300 families who survive in conditions of squalor and face dangers both known and unknown from the environment in which they eke out their existence.

Central Java approves 2004 PON bidding SEMARANG (JP): The Central Java House of Representatives finally backed up the provincial administration's bid to stage the 16th National Games (PON) in 2004. "The House decided to approve the bidding but we urge the administration to use the Provincial Budget maximum of Rp 50 billion (US$7.15 million) instead of its original plan of Rp 85 billion," M Toyfoer, the House's vice chairman, said on Saturday.

Feeding our comfort quotient in modern Indonesian art By Chandra Johan JAKARTA (JP): When sekolah dasar (elementary school) was still called "sekolah rakyat" in the 1960s, drawing lessons were a boring subject for most pupils, even for those who were interested in art and showed talent in drawing. For them, the subject was merely copying from the teacher's example.

Pertina hopes RI boxers will qualify to Olympics JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Boxing Association (Pertina) deputy secretary-general, Didiet Soedijoto, said on Friday that national boxers would be able to qualify for the 2000 Olympics at a qualification match in Seoul from Dec. 17 to Jan. 25.

NU forerunners pledge to keep body independent KEDIRI, East Java (JP): The two top nominees to succeed Abdurrahman Wahid as Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) chief have both asserted that the organization will remain critical and independent of the government despite its outgoing leader's election as president.

Three clubs fight for 2000 Kobatama spot JAKARTA (JP): Citra Satria Pelita (CSP) and Siliwangi are scheduled to challenge second division champion Dwidasa Mitra Guntur for a spot in the Kobatama national basketball league's main division next year. The relegation matches will take place from Dec. 1 to Dec. 3. CSP ended Kobatama's sixth series in a poor performance after losing to Cahaya Lestari Surabaya 55-58, although it led 34-21 in the first half. CSP finished fourth in last year's league.

Ananda to join F-3000 test JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian driver Ananda Mikola will test to qualify for the International Formula 3000 in Barcelona next week. The 19-year-old driver left Indonesia on Friday evening. Thirty-two drivers will compete in the test as a preparation to qualify for the 2000 F-3000 race in Italy, Ananda's manager, Piers Hunnisett said, reported Antara. Hunnisett said Ananda had an exceptional chance as he was elected as the F-3000 race tester.

Indra's trademark camp stage persona takes a backseat By Bruce Emond JAKARTA (JP): Like many entertainers known for their high humor quotient, Indra Safera keeps a subdued presence off stage. He politely answers a pat round of feeling-out questions, but there is the conspicuous absence of his trademark camp stage persona, so familiar from commercials, his stint as host of the gossip magazine show KISS and as an MC and deejay.

The ebb and flow of life along Pontianak's rivers Text and photos by P.J. Leo PONTIANAK, West Kalimantan (JP): The buzzing sound coming from the engines of motorboats breaks the silence of mornings along the River Kapuas, a river that divides into two the municipality of Pontianak, the only municipality in the West Kalimantan province and also a provincial capital.

Scaling new heights at Parangdoc cliffs YOGYAKARTA (JP): Parangdoc's steep, stained limestone walls rise up from a hill overlooking West Java's coast. Reaching up to 100 meters high in some places, they stretch in a more or less unbroken line for almost a kilometer. Since the mid-1970s the cliffs have been a major venue for Indonesian rock climbers, who arrive from nearby Yogyakarta every weekend to test their nerves, strength and skill.

Sarongs, white brocade combined in distinctive collection By Stevie Emilia ULUWATU, Bali (JP): Wearing sarongs with Indonesian traditional kebaya-inspired blouses when hanging around with friends may be greeted by fashion lovers with a frown. But the idea appeals to the Bali-based fashion designer Irsan, who translated the idea with full enthusiasm into his latest creations, which were presented to an audience at La Indonesia restaurant here on Wednesday evening.

Spotlight Photo A: Institute The London Institute of Communications BEST GRADUATE: British Ambassador Robin Christopher (second left) poses with the best graduate of The London Institute of Communications Jakarta, Yanti Leo (left), while the institute's director Prita Kemal Gani (right) looks on. The ambassador delivered a speech at a ceremony held for 270 graduates of the institute, which was set up in 1997 and now has around 550 students.

It's time for more civilians to carry out social work The pros and cons of the liquidation of the Ministry of Social Affairs are still raging. The Jakarta Post spoke to a number of prominent people from several agencies dealing with social affairs on the impact of the liquidation on their working activities. Related story on Page 3.

Wardah wants to narrow gap between rich and poor JAKARTA (JP): Noted activist Wardah Hafidz seems to be everywhere, protesting alongside workers, the urban poor or pedicab drivers. But for the 47-year-old woman there is no such thing as giving up. Her line of work touches almost every aspect of the poor, making her less and less popular among the authorities. Sometimes she goes through difficult times, such as being threatened or even arrested.

Kudus to host Aqua Master KUDUS, Central Java (JP): The Indonesian Badminton Association will stage the ninth Aqua Master interclub badminton championships in the Djarum Kudus badminton hall from Nov. 23 to Nov. 27 in Kudus, 100 km east of capital, Semarang. About 230 shuttlers are expected to compete in the championships, which also serve as a series of promotion to join the Indonesian Badminton Center in Cipayung, East Jakarta.

Indonesia urged to speed up repatriation of East Timorese JAKARTA (JP): Visiting United States Ambassador to the United Nations Richard Holbrooke in a meeting with President Abdurrahman Wahid on Saturday urged Indonesia to accelerate the repatriation of East Timorese refugees still camped in East Nusa Tenggara.

Nahdlatul Ulama and its challenges in the future By MMI Ahyani TASIKMALAYA, West Java (JP): In the organizational mechanism of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Rois 'Am Syuriah (chairman of the Central Governing Board's law-making body), is a key position of no less significant than the position of chairman of the Tanfidziah (executive board) himself.

KONI asks BPGS for Rp 5b for Olympics JAKARTA (JP): The National Sports Council (KONI) has requested the Gelora Senayan Management Board (BPGS) for a total budget of Rp 5 billion (US$715,000) to finance the national contingent for the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. KONI secretary-general Rudolf S Warouw said on Friday evening that BPGS had not yet responded to the request.

President Abdurrahman defends ban on 'becak' JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid defended on Saturday the city administration's decision to ban becak (pedicabs) from operating in the city due to humanitarian grounds. Addressing a gathering of 10,000 of the city's poor residents at the Senayan main stadium, South Jakarta, the President said pedicab drivers should not misunderstand the administration's policy.

U.S. 'dalang' presents 'wayang' show By Mehru Jaffer JAKARTA (JP): The kelir, a long white screen with a colored border and banana tree trunks running along its base, will be there. When the time comes, all other lights are switched off except the lamp illuminating the screen, and from above a man in Javanese dress with a dagger tucked into the sash in the small of his back will sit cross-legged before the screen.

'The White Banyan' preserves old stories The White Banyan, Le Banian Blanc; Lahirnya Kembali Beringin Putih; Narrator: Elizabeth Prasetyo; Distributor: Basis Yogya; p. 247; Price: Rp 40,000 (soft cover); Rp 60,000 (hard cover). JAKARTA (JP): It is inevitable that the reader of The White Banyan would find the book a kind of cross between Antoine de Saint-Exupery's The Little Prince and Ong Ken Seng's multicultural Lear.

Guess What? Iwan Fals Unlike other groups which usually perform on holidays or weekends, leading musician Iwan Fals' group only performs on Mondays and Thursdays. "The group works on Mondays and Thursdays only. If we don't perform on those days, we gather to practice," said Iwan, who now spends most of his time in his private studio in Leuwinanggung, Depok. Although his group performs on what is considered unusual days, Iwan wanted to prove that they could go on. On Thursday, Nov.

Lirboyo, modernization of education By Ainur Sophiaan KEDIRI, East Java (JP): About ninety years ago, in the fasting month of Ramadhan and in an Islamic boarding school in Bangkalan, on the island of Madura, a student fainted during class. It was during an evening class and the teacher was teaching the Koran, the Muslim holy scripture. The teacher and the santri (students) were startled. The teacher ended the lesson.

Prepare for your vacation, and enjoy your flight By E. Effendi BANDUNG, West Java (JP): We are now getting closer and closer to December, the month that is known as the holiday season, the month when people begin preparing their New Year's resolutions, and the month when you spend more money than usual to make all your family and your friends, but not yourself, happy, especially when you receive your credit card bills.

Multifaceted Guruh showcases his batik talent By Agni Amorita JAKARTA (JP): Like the double C monograms of Chanel or the capital F on every Fendi creation, Guruh Soekarnoputra puts a calligraphic ancient Javanese character for his name on all of his art works. Sometimes Guruh changes it to a modified letter G from the Latin alphabet, formed from the ancient Balinese symbol of the banji or swastika.

Latin telenovellas are hot property for local TV By Antariksawan Jusuf JAKARTA (JP): A recent media report highlighted the importance of Latin telenovellas in Indonesian television programming. It is approaching prime time, reads a recent headline of Media Indonesia. The article was referring to a decision by TPI network to air new telenovella La Usurpadora (locally called Cinta Paulina) at 6 p.m., one and a half hours before prime time.

Venturing off the beaten track in beautiful Lembang By Gunjan Prasad BANDUNG, West Java (JP): One of the pleasures of traveling is the thrill of discovery: stumbling onto a destination that the guidebook failed to mention, walking into an unknown restaurant and having the meal of your life. These are the experiences one is always looking for when traveling and it is this serendipity that makes Lembang so remarkable.

No need to run away from Dodo the Komodo The Komodo dragon, indigenous to Indonesia and found only on the island of Komodo and its neighboring islands, was launched at the Tourism Indonesia Mart on Sept. 23 as Indonesian tourism's new mascot. The first 2000 Dodo Komodos -- a limited edition -- have been released to coincide with the Year of the Dragon next year and are yellow in color, to depict it as a golden dragon, and to commemorate the new millennium.

'CABeat emptor' -- driver beware JAKARTA (JP): In almost every major city it is taxis that rule the roads. Their drivers, bored by endless hours and years on the streets, feel secure in the knowledge that they have an inalienable right to dictate who goes where on city thoroughfares. The only difference in Jakarta is that, although drivers may feel they own the roads, often they are unsure as to which ones they, in fact, are. A recent example when wanting to go from Menteng to Jl.