Finest glass pieces on show at Erasmus By Myra Sidharta JAKARTA (JP): In 1765, two German brothers Pilgram and Meeder decided to open a glass factory in Leerdam, a town near Rotterdam in the Netherlands. Their first productions were green and brown bottles, blown into cone-shaped huts. Many bottles found their way to the Indies after they had been filled with jenever, the alcoholic drink of the Dutch.

Perks and pitfalls of being a govt official JAKARTA (JP): I used to enjoy a small share of government privilege on Jakarta roads. I could drive smoothly, fast and with a certain degree of pride. Secret was I lived close to an important official. And, as the standard operating procedure has it, this official commuted to his office with full security protection.

'Trubus' benefits from agribusiness trend CIMANDE, Bogor (JP): As there is no indication that the economy will recover soon, many people have begun to turn to agribusiness, the most resistant economic sector, for a living. The savvy see this trend as a perfect business opportunity to provide new entrants into agribusiness with the knowledge they will require to start a business of their own. Trubus farming magazine has jumped on this trend.

Foreign powers enter retail war The arrival of new foreign chain stores to Jakarta has not gone unnoticed in this time of economic crisis. Is this a sign that doing business here -- amid the crumbling purchasing power of consumers, that analysts predict will take years to recover -- still holds promise? The Jakarta Post reporters Aan Suryana, Emmy Fitri, Kamba Basrie, Lukman Natanagara, Sylvia Gratia M. Nirang, Sugianto Tandra and photographer P.J.

PSIS Semarang beats Petrokimia to lead Group I JAKARTA (JP): PSIS Semarang went to the top of Group I with the six points it earned crushing Petrokimia Putra Gresik 2-0 on the fifth day of the fifth Indonesian Soccer League (Ligina) playoffs on Saturday at the Senayan soccer stadium. PSIS, which takes over the lead from defending champion Persebaya, displayed solid defense and good coordination between its midfielders and strikers to paralyze Petrokimia defenders.

Amien denies links to the U.S. JAKARTA (JP): Chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN) Amien Rais denied on Saturday he was selling out politically by seeking support in the U.S., long a frequent target of his criticism. Amien defended a recent weeklong trip to the U.S. as an opportunity to "anticipate and prepare myself as a leader of a fast growing new party which aims to guide the country to a better future". He returned last Saturday.

Yogya's Malioboro to undergo massive face-lift By Tjahjono Ep YOGYAKARTA (JP): For past visitors to Yogyakarta, Malioboro is probably the street they remember best. Built by Sultan Hamengkubuwono I in 1757, Malioboro is the most famous tourist haunt for buying traditional souvenirs and dining. But the bustling one-kilometer-long boulevard, located in the heart of the ancient city to the north of the Yogyakarta palace, has lost its mystical grandeur.

Nigeria quiet on African Cup offer LAGOS (AFP): Nigeria has yet to respond to an offer made by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) that it co-host the 2000 African Nations Cup with Ghana, an official of the Nigerian Football Association (NFA) said Friday. The official, who asked not to be named, told AFP here the NFA would consult with the government before making its decision. "Only the government can speak on it," he said.

Sukarno: 'Ende first, Jakarta next' By Wahyuni Kamah ENDE, Flores, East Nusa Tenggara (JP): "After clearing up the grass in the garden and chatting with my wife and child, my other pastime is simply reading...," wrote the future president Sukarno from Ende. Sukarno revealed this in his letter dated July 17, 1935, to T.A. Hasan, his correspondent, who lived in Bandung, West Java. His exchanges with T.A.

New Asian film fest a good show for RI By Helene Feillard DEAUVILLE, France (JP): The Asian crisis has had a positive impact after all; after being piqued by dramatic headlines from Indonesia, the French public has found a new interest in Indonesian films. For a long time, Indonesia was simply not in the news. Today, even on a trip to the supermarkets, the French hear news about the change of regime, rioting, East Timor or massacres in Aceh.

Flow of refugees continues in Sambas JAKARTA (JP): Refugees fleeing days of ethnic clashes in the West Kalimantan regency of Sambas continued to flow into makeshift shelters and military installations in the area on Saturday, local officials and legislators said. Nasrun Nasution, head of the regency's information office, told The Jakarta Post by phone from the central command post in the Sambas capital of Singkawang that hundreds of Madurese had come to the post in groups since Saturday morning.

Ghalib set to chair wrestling association JAKARTA (JP): Attorney General Andi M. Ghalib has stated his willingness to chair the Indonesian Wrestling Association (PGSI), said Endro Soemardjo, chairman of PGSI Jakarta. Endro said on Saturday that he, together with Robby Nainggolan and Sudradjat, met Ghalib on Friday at Ghalib's office to discuss the proposal. "Pak Ghalib was very pleased with the offer and vote of trust from the wrestling society.

Marwah By Syofiardi Bachyul Jb A village in the north, in common with villages in the eastern parts of this region, is one where security prevails through the strong grip of fear. Life has to go on as usual, but at any time - nobody knows when - some local residents can always be taken away by the soldiers. Some will be tortured but most will be killed right away.

Protests force Obuchi to flee SEOUL (AFP): Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi had to flee one of Seoul's most prestigious universities through a back exit Saturday to avoid a confrontation with protesting students, witnesses said. Around 200 anti-Japanese students scuffled with plain-clothed police after blocking the main entrance of Korea University to prevent Obuchi's car leaving the campus after he delivered a speech there.

Malnutrition threatens Java's children By Haryoso SEMARANG (JP): Community health centers in the Purbalingga regency are overwhelmed by a stream of under five-year-olds admitted with symptoms of malnutrition. Health authorities have reported 190 children are seriously undernourished and receiving medical treatment. At least one child under the age of five reportedly died in Sidorejo village. "When the child died, no one was there. The mother on the verandah was not aware her child was dying.

Keeping track of music in the movies By Brillianto K. Jaya JAKARTA (JP): "Music is the most important aspect in stirring the emotion of viewers. It is often the case that a viewer can understand the language of music better than the language of picture," said Joel Schumacher, the director of Batman & Robin. Schumacher's statement makes a lot of sense. Without music, films would be dull and lifeless.

Agribusiness cash crops stave off economic crisis By Stevie Emilia CIMANDE, Bogor (JP): The not-so-young executive attentively watched a man planting chilies and recorded every move with his handycam. The activity took place in a field covered by a fiberglass roof. Rain was teeming down and soil clung to his expensive shoes and branded pants, but he did not care.

Understanding Indonesian law and society Indonesia: Law and Society; Ed: Timothy Lindsey; The Federation Press, Sydney, 1999; Paperback 418 pages; A$45.00 MELBOURNE, Australia (JP): We live in an era where interconnectedness is increasingly significant, which necessitates viewing events or experiences in life in their proper context.

ASEAN optimistic on 1999 economic outlook HANOI (Reuters): Southeast Asian finance ministers said on Saturday they were confident prospects for the region's embattled economies would improve this year, although they cautioned that challenges lay ahead. A statement from the finance ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) welcomed recent developments such as stability in regional foreign exchange markets, healthy current account surpluses and lower interest rates.

Guess What? Yuni Shara Yuni Shara, the highly popular singer of golden oldies, is cutting connections with the ruling Golkar now when the party's popularity sinks amid the unrelenting public demand for reform. The petite singer lamented that her fans mock her as "Golkar's artist" because she performed at its rallies during the 1997 election campaign.

Spotlight Photo A: AirForce Dispen AU AIR FORCE HONOR: Air Force Chief Marshal Hanafie Asnan (left) bestows honorary the award of First Class Wing on the Republic of Singapore's Air Force Chief of Staff Brig. Gen. Rocky Lim Kim Choon for his success in improving cooperation between the two countries air forces. The event was held at the air force headquarters in Cilangkap, Jakarta on Wednesday (March 10).

Competent retailers expected to beat the odds By K. Basrie JAKARTA (JP): As the economic catastrophe continues savaging Indonesia, a war is raging in the retail business between long- established local supermarket chains and new foreign franchised retailers. Local supermarkets, many of which enjoyed their heyday during the Soeharto regime, hope to see the closure of their foreign franchised competitors.

Foreign franchises another blow for local supermarkets By Sylvia Gratia M.N., Emmy Fitri and A'an Suryana JAKARTA (JP): Amid the severe effects of the prolonged economic crisis in which many people are slashing their spending or taking their money to cheaper stores and traditional markets, local supermarkets are suffering from plunging sales. Local supermarket chains suffered badly in last May's massive riots, when many of their outlets were burned and damaged, causing them huge losses.

Illegal gold prospectors risk life and limb on Pongkor Text and photos by Mulkan Samona BOGOR, West Java (JP): Wearing boots and carrying simple excavating implements such as chisels, hammers and crowbars, Akhyar, Dedi, Maman and Khairul, unlicensed gold prospectors hailing from Tasikmalaya, left Jangkar village for Pongkor hill in search of gold. Slowly and carefully they found their way along the slippery, winding trail leading to the hill.