Segmentation in the crisis era In June 1997, MasterCard conducted a consumer survey at a time when confidence in the Indonesian economy was extremely high. Only six months later, that optimism was replaced by deep pessimism. The sudden shift in market mood was a tremendous jolt to the activities of business enterprises.

Riot-torn Ambon suffers front sporadic clashes JAKARTA (JP): Sporadic clashes continued in the destroyed Maluku capital of Ambon on Saturday and at least five more people were injured. First Sgt. Abdurrahman, a staffer at the police Bhayangkara Hospital, told The Jakarta Post by phone that at least five people injured from the clashes were admitted to hospital. "Four are Christians and one is Muslim. They have bruises and stab wounds, and two are still being treated here," Abdurrahman said.

Spotlight Photo A: GKPB JP/afs ANARCHY IN JAKARTA: Chief coordinator of the National Movement for Justice and Unity (GKPB), Siswono Yudohusodo (left), gives his analysis of the widespread anarchy in the capital. He blamed the unfortunate situation on the economic crisis, political instability and lack of respect for the law and security officers. Also present at the discussion was GKPB's national coordinator David Napitupulu (right).

Volcano emits mud and smoke TAAL, Philippines (AFP): A volcano in this island in the center of a lake emitted mud and smoke on Saturday but there is no sign of an impending serious eruption, a government volcanologist said. Taal volcano, 65 kilometers (40.6 miles) south of Manila, shot a white plume of sulfur dioxide about 12 meters (39.6 feet) into the air and hot mud erupted into the waters of a small lake at the center of the volcano, said volcanologist Orlando Guardacasa.

Team of Eleven has 'no political interest' By Edith Hartanto and Riyadi JAKARTA (JP): Nurcholish Madjid, the 60-year-old American- educated Muslim scholar is internationally acclaimed for his modern ideas on political and social matters. Born in Jombang -- a small town known as East Java's Santri town because of a preponderance of traditional Islamic boarding schools -- the scholar, who is known for his warm, modest, open and egalitarian manner, is affectionately called Cak Nur by close friends.

Guess What? Joshua Suhendra In a country where cuteness is king, Joshua Suhendra is the reigning monarch. The impish six-year-old hosts TV programs, plays the title role in Anak Ajaib (Amazing Child) and endorses a host of products, including a computer printer and multivitamin, for each of which he earns the tidy sum of Rp 100 million (US$11,000) plus royalties. But are the powers behind his throne a couple of stage parents?

Independence offer turns up the heat in East Timor Tension in East Timor has soared since Jakarta sent the shock message of granting full independence if the Timorese reject autonomy status. The Jakarta Post photographer IGN Oka Budhi Yogaswara visited the country's youngest province last week. The following is his report and photographs about the situation.

'Private police' direct traffic to stay in school amid crisis By Mehru Jaffer JAKARTA (JP): One minute they swarm the intersection like a plague of locusts, waving their hands, whistling, shouting, often seeming to outnumber the vehicles they pretend to steer. Next minute they are gone, replaced by uniformed policemen who orchestrate the fabled traffic jams almost with the finesse of a musical conductor in comparison.

Multiparty pools offer vast range of choices JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia will formally end the long-established triparty election system once the government-sanctioned verification team, better known as the Team of Eleven, completes its duty in the coming few days. More than 140 parties have met administrative requirements, but it is expected that only less than one third of them will be eligible for the June 7 polls.

Parties list JAKARTA (JP): As of Friday, 141 political parties passed administrative screening at the Ministry of Justice and will be subject to verification by the government-sanctioned Team of Eleven before being declared eligible to contest the June 7 election. The English version of party names in the following list are The Jakarta Post's translations. 1. Partai Persatuan Pembanguan (PPP), United Development Party 2. Partai Golongan Karya (Golkar), Functional Group 3.

Agus Suwage swims against the current Text and photos by Chandra Johan JAKARTA (JP): In the history of Indonesian art the 80s generation might be called "the restless generation". Generally they have university backgrounds. Some have degrees while others dropped out. But they share a mutual degree of concern: disappointment with the art environment and the education they received.

Victims of Marcos compensated MANILA (Reuters): The nearly 10,000 victims of human rights abuses during late Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos's rule will probably each get about $15,000 under a tentative settlement with the Marcos family, their lawyers said on Saturday.

Crisis pushes West Java tea plantation workers to the edge By Kafil Yamin BANDUNG (JP): The morning sun bathed the earth with its warm light. Women in Sundanese kebaya clothing and wide straw hats walked along an ascending track cutting through a vast tea plantation. Their hats make them visible from quite a distance, like turtles creeping toward the hill top. This is a regular scene during the tea harvest in Kabandungan village, Sukabumi, West Java.

Australia says fleeing convoy safe in West Timor SYDNEY (Reuters): A convoy of Australians who fled the East Timor capital of Dili overnight fearing further violence in the troubled province arrived safely in Kupang, West Timor on Saturday, the Australian Foreign Affairs Ministry said. "Our information is that they have arrived safely in Kupang," a ministry spokesman said.

Fear of fraud, violence blemishing June polls JAKARTA (JP): Money politics, violent campaigns and anarchy will mar the upcoming election scheduled for June 7, it is feared. The profusion of political parties that will contest the election is also a headache for prospective voters. The following are the views of people from different social backgrounds about the forthcoming election, which is widely expected to result in a legitimate government able to stem the tide of political chaos.

Praise pours in for EQUIL mineral water EQUIL Director Morgen Sutanto never fails to give special advice to visitors to Villa D'Equilibrium, the impressive office and factory in the foothills of Mt. Salak, West Java. "Try the water for yourself," Sutanto will urge as visitors near the gurgling spring. A mouthful of pure, almost sweet water is enough to win over the naysayers who swear all mineral and bottled waters taste the same.

Habibie receives German expo participants JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie is feeling right at home with his foreign guests here for a three-day visit, days filled with meeting delegates from Germany, where he spent his younger years. On Saturday morning at Merdeka Palace, the President received parliament members Hans Martin Bury, Gudrun Kupp, Gunnar Uldall and Margareta Wolf, who are from four political parties.

TV today TVRI 6:00 a.m. News 7:00 Morning Focus 7:15 Healthy and Fresh 7:00 Religious Teachings 7:30 Children's Program 8:00 Children's Program 8:30 Children's Program 9:30 Creative Program 10:00 Property Program 11:30 Talk Show 12:15 p.m.

A story of money of the folding variety JAKARTA (JP): Most expatriates with a sufficient experience of Indonesia can immediately identify the one government department they dislike dealing with above all others. You would not be a million miles from the answer if you suspected that some of its officials work at ports of entry.

EQUIL: Vini Vidi Vici Consumer purchasing power is not the only thing to suffer in the worst crisis in modern Indonesian history. Previously high optimism about the country's economy has descended into abject pessimism. This swing from optimism to pessimism has led many foreign businesses to put on hold plans to launch products geared to quality-oriented customers. Their sad view is that there is no market for such products.

Amien might sue 'Indonesia's Pinochet' YOGYAKARTA (JP): Chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN) Amien Rais said on Saturday he was ready to face the law suit filed against him by former president Soeharto, whom he likened to former Chilean dictator Pinochet, and even threatened a counter lawsuit.

A Balinese water palace called Grand Hyatt Take your eyes and mind through cascading waterfalls, landscaped gardens and lagoons that meander through 16 hectares of lush tropical gardens in Nusa Dua. 750 guest rooms, clustered in four ethnic villages, are appointed with the natural richness of woods and fabrics.

Artist Diah Yulianti can hear ghost crying and talking By Susi Andrini YOGYAKARTA (JP): When one dies, it is generally believed, one's ghost will leap out of the body and join the community of spirits in the afterlife. The living cannot see the ghost but the ghost can see the dead body. So when can one see ghosts? If you want to see their pictures, make the trip to the French Cultural Center in Jakarta next month.

Political advertisements hit the airwaves By Brillianto K. Jaya JAKARTA (JP): Political euphoria in the wake of the New Order regime's fall has effected a policy change among national television broadcasters. Apart from reporting that is not merely topical but emphasizes transparency and objectivity, private television stations have opened up the airwaves for political party advertisements.

Parties gear up for elections As many as 141 political parties have passed the first "test" in order to contest the June 7 general election. They meet the stipulated administrative requirements. As of Saturday evening, 102 of those had been registered with the General Election Institution (LPU) prior to being judged eligible for the contest by the Team of Eleven.

Guess What? Franky Sahilatua Ballad singer Franky Sahilatua is not frank enough to his fans and he has promised to be frank but only about one thing. He will release a new album. "Yes, frankly speaking, Gus Mus and I will soon disclose everything that has oppressed the people's rights," he told The Jakarta Post when he visited Purwokerto, Central Java.