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.

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.

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.

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).

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...

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.

TV todayTVRI 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...

Probing the mystery of Pura Tanjung SariBy 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.

'Lontar' leaves make beautiful flowersBy 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.

Made Wianta's 'Art and Peace' is an offering-cum-mantraBy 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...

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...

Buyers in a jam as cars become popular itemsBy 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...

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.

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.

Red light district's days near their endBy 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.

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.

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.