Rights abuse a black spot in RI history The violation of human rights is an acute problem that has lingered for decades in the country. There has been much talk about it, yet little concrete action has been taken. The Jakarta Post looks into the issue, observing the 51st anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights on Dec. 10. JAKARTA (JP): Human rights has shifted to the front burner of hot issues as the country moves in fits and starts into a new era.

40 years of Thai Airways over Indonesian skies Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI), consistently voted one of the world's best airlines for almost 40 years, has enjoyed a reputation for excellent service and reliability. Today, THAI is a global airline that serves more Asian countries than any other airline. Our punctuality, service, comfort and route network have won the trust of the flying public worldwide. On Nov.

Panasia withdraws from semifinal match JAKARTA (JP): Defending champion Panasia Indosyntec withdrew from the semifinal match of the 1999 A Mild Kobatama national basketball league on Saturday at the Senayan Indoor Stadium and granted the final berth to home favorite Mahaka Satria Muda (SM). Panasia was downed 37-39 in high tension in the remaining 59.6 seconds of the second half when one of the referees, Hadi Wasito gave an outball to Panasia.

Prostitution a means to a better future for some women JAKARTA (JP): As the saying goes, prostitution is the oldest profession in the world. It has always been around, and probably always will be. There are no special requirements needed to become a prostitute, nor does the job require any particular skill, except maybe a certain politeness and ease with strangers. Because anyone can do it, many young women, most facing dire economic hardships, have turned to prostitution to earn a living.

Govt continues to fail to protect children's rights JAKARTA (JP): Amid the stench of open sewers and the piercing sound of train whistles, eight-year-old Iman and dozens of other barefoot boys hawk mineral water, cigarettes, newspapers and even condoms at Jatinegara Railway Station in East Jakarta. They work day and night, almost 18 hours a day, and barely have time to attend school, let alone do their homework.

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 Chindren's Song 3:00 Sports 4:30 Religious Teachings 5:00 Travel 5:30 TV Drama 6:00 Sports 6:30 News (in English) 7:00 Evening News 7:30 Music 8:00 Variety Show 9:00 World News 9:30 Music 10:30 TV Series 11:35 Late News Program 2 4:30 p.m.

Probing the mystery of Pura Tanjung Sari By Myra Sidharta DENPASAR, Bali (JP): When the Protestant minister J.F.G. Brumund visited Bali in the middle of the 19th century, he encountered a rich Chinese businessman who was also a chief of the Chinese community with the title of captain. This captain had an ancestral altar at the center of his house where he prayed daily for his ancestors and for the gods of Heaven and Earth to protect him from evil spirits.

'Lontar' leaves make beautiful flowers By Bambang Tiong YOGYAKARTA (JP): Some people say that lontar (palmyra palm) leaves are useless. But in the hands of Yuli Indarti they are processed in such a way as to yield a fair amount of foreign exchange. Palmyra trees, along with their fruit known as siwalan, grow in abundance in coastal areas, especially in the eastern part of Java.

Made Wianta's 'Art and Peace' is an offering-cum-mantra By Jean Couteau DENPASAR, Bali (JP): Since Otto Dix depicted the horrors of war in the 1920s, artists have long denounced violence in their works. In Indonesia, artists such as Samsar Siahan and Dadang Christanto have made a career of denouncing the abuses of the New Order regime. More recently, almost all the entries to the last "Philip Morris Price Award" dealt with the themes of oppression and political violence.

Benjamin says it's time to improve human rights JAKARTA (JP): Benjamin Mangkoedilaga had been a judge for over 35 years when he decided to resign. Last December he was appointed as a member of the National Commission on Human Rights. Born in Garut, West Java, in 1937, Benjamin started his career as a judge in Rangkasbitung, West Java, after graduating in law from the University of Indonesia in 1967.

Buyers in a jam as cars become popular items By Stevie Emilia JAKARTA (JP): Replacing her old Corolla sedan was what Rina had in mind two years ago. But the crisis and chaotic political situation, complete with street protests and disorders, made her cancel her plan, although the money was there.

Thai food, palatable to Indonesian taste Thailand is well-known as one of the largest food producing countries which have been feeding the world's population over the years. No wonder Thai foods and fruits are very famous and have always been in great demand among the majority of Indonesian consumers. These include high-quality rice, particularly fragrant rice (Hom Mali and jasmine), sugar, Tom Yam Kung, fruits such as durian, longan, guava, lychee and mango.

Gus Dur says three more ministers could resign JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid suggested on Saturday that three of his ministers allegedly involved in graft would be better off resigning rather than risk being dragged to court. He claimed that the Attorney General's Office was investigating the ministers involved and if there was sufficient evidence the president said he would directly ask them to resign.

Guess What? President Abdurrahman Wahid the jester may have met his match in Jose Alexandre Xanana Gusmao. The former guerrilla leader, who is tipped to become East Timor's first president, is just as adept and as easy with jokes as the Indonesian leader is. During a media conference at the Regent Hotel in Jakarta on Tuesday, Xanana spoke in fluent, albeit slow, Bahasa Indonesia, but at times he had to be assisted when he was lost for words.

Red light district's days near their end By A'an Suryana JAKARTA (JP): Following a decade-long debate over the existence of the city's oldest red-light district Kramat Tunggak, the city administration will close down the 10.4-hectare complex next Wednesday and turn it into a residential area.

Is sleeping aways a complicated problem? Text and photos by P.J. Leo JAKARTA (JP): How long must a person sleep? There is no single and definite answer about this mystery of life. Some people need only a few hours of it while others need a much longer time. According to medical experts, one needs an average of seven to eight hours of sleep per day.

Aceh raises GAM flags; six hurt SIGLI, Aceh (JP): Thousands of people turned up at flag hoisting ceremonies marking the anniversary of the Gerakan Aceh Merdeka or Free Aceh Movement (GAM) in the province on Saturday. Police and the military maintained a low-key presence in towns where ceremonies were held, including here, the capital of Pidie regency, and in Greater Aceh, North Aceh and West Aceh regencies.

Agricultural and fishery cooperation The Indonesia and Thailand Governments, through their Ministries of Agriculture, have been cooperating in the fields of agriculture, fishery, food crops and horticulture, forestry and livestock for over 20 years. On Nov.

Guess What? Time is so short when trying to achieve fame and a career in modeling. This is especially so for Larasati, a leading model in Indonesia. She has a contract with cosmetic producer Martina Bertho, but Larasati Iris Rischka, 28, has made a decision: to concentrate on horse riding and to grab a medal in the 2001 Sea Games. "Being one of the most popular models for years is enough. Besides, I still have a contract with Martha Tilaar. But horse riding is so challenging for me," she said.