Spotlight Photo A: IHT JP/afs PAPER DEAL: The Jakarta Post's general manager Raymond Toruan (left) hands over a document to executive director Asia Pacific International Herald Tribune of Singapore G.T.S. Damer after signing a cooperation agreement in Jakarta on Wednesday (March 3). Under the agreement, the Post became distributor of the International Herald Tribune.

Yogyakarta experimental school teaches through doing By Text and photos by Ahmad Solikhan YOGYAKARTA (JP): The old traditional Javanese house with bamboo walls doesn't stand out among the other humble houses in the neighborhood. From the outside, there are no signs the house is used as school; nothing gives away its extraordinary function. Founded by Y.B. Mangunwijaya in 1994, the school offers subjects carefully designed to develop the students' religious, intellectual and work ethos.

Quality Hotel Aspac Traveling can be very exhausting, but there is a way to make it more convenient. Quality Hotel Aspac offers you everything that you would expect from an international airport hotel. Located directly at Terminal 2E, Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Jakarta, the hotel is uniquely spread along Wing D to Wing F on the third floor, while the main gate is on the second floor near the Terminal D meeting point.

PSSI to proceed soccer with soccer league playoffs JAKARTA (JP): The All Indonesian Soccer Federation (PSSI) has decided to hold the Indonesian league playoffs at Senayan stadium complex in Central Jakarta and has prepared a contingency plan to avert any possible unrest. Maj. Gen.

Puditry: A give-and-take business By Devi M. Asmarani and Ahmad Junaidi JAKARTA (JP): What some people perceive as success may not reflect the perception of others. That concludes one property expert's job philosophy. "In terms of accumulating wealth, I may be far behind my peers, but my knowledge has accelerated since I decided to quit being an employee," Panangian Simanungkalit says.

Cibodas, entry to West Java's last great forest By David Jardine CIBODAS, West Java (JP): Early European sailors in this region called them the Blue Mountains, those peaks that can sometimes be seen on a clear day in the distance from Central Jakarta. Rearing up to around 3,000 meters, they form a spectacular and enticing backdrop to this somewhat nerve-wracking capital.

Hamengkubuwono X, a leader people trust By Asip Agus Hasani YOGYAKARTA (JP): One of the few cities that has retained its reputation as a peaceful place up to this day is the ancient city of Yogyakarta, which has been spared the rioting which has left much of Indonesia in ruins.

Some places are still sacred Centuries ago, Sundanese royalty trekked to the cool highlands of West Java for its pure healing waters. Mystic shamans meditated here. Gifted healers collected potent herbs from the wild forest plants. Today, this rain forest is our backyard. Javana Spa is one of the world's greatest spa destinations. Come see and feel it for yourself. Experience herbal, aromatic therapies. Relax with a deep Indonesian massage.

Guess What? For the last 26 years, Benedict Richard O'Gorman Anderson of Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, has been barred from entering Indonesia, the country that has been the focus of his scholarly work for 40 years. On Thursday, Pak Ben or Mas Ben, as visiting Indonesian students and scholars to Cornell affectionately call him, returned to Jakarta, at the invitation of Tempo to speak on "nationalism" in conjunction with the magazine's 28th anniversary. "I have mixed feelings.

Learning to respect other believers' rights Hak Asasi Beragama dan Perkawinan Konghucu: Perspektif Sosial, Legal dan Teologi (Basic Right to Religion and Marriage of Confucianists: Social, Legal and Theological Perspectives); PT Gramedia Pustaka Utama, Jakarta, 1998; Budi Wijaya et al; ix + 193 YOGYAKARTA (JP): On Dec. 15, 1995, the Surabaya administration stirred up a national controversy when it refused to register the marriage of a Confucianist couple, Budi and Lanny.

Hun Sen to visit Indonesia PHNOM PENH (Reuters): Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen will visit Indonesia on March 15 at the invitation of Indonesia's President B.J. Habibie, a Cambodian government official said on Saturday. Details of the trip were still being worked out and it was not yet known when Hun Sen would hold talks with Habibie, said foreign ministry spokesman Hor Sothun. Hun Sen is due to return to Cambodia on March 17, he said.

Dananjaya a 'kasno' who devotes his to Indonesian folklore JAKARTA (JP): Do you know why former president Soeharto is very fond of playing golf? The hobby has to do with his childhood farming background. He probably likens green and luxurious golf courses to the yellowish paddy fields where he spent his childhood. The answer may be right or wrong. But it is a common joke people share during this present crisis when it is hard for them to find reasons to laugh.

Elephants part of tourist trail in Bali Bali, Indonesia's top tourist destination, has another tourist attraction to offer in addition to its famed beaches and cultural riches. It is the Elephant Safari Park located in Taro village, Gianyar regency, about 50 kilometers north of Denpasar. The Jakarta Post photographer P.J. Leo compiled the following report from a recent visit to the park.

Museum makes brave attempt to revive traditional games By Rita A. Widiadana JAKARTA (JP): It's Ani's turn to be a "blind man". Her eyes are blindfolded with a big, yellow handkerchief, while another 10 children stand around her. Ani's friends stand around her in a circle and tease her. "Blind man... blind man, what are you looking for?" shout the children. "I am looking for my lost stick," answers "blind" Ani.

Help your mates Almost two years have elapsed since the present monetary crisis began in July 1997, and until now we still do not see any light at the end of the tunnel. We currently adopt the floating rate system, and every exporter is allowed to keep his earnings for himself. Perhaps this is the reason why at present we are still in dire need of U.S. dollars.

No sparks ignited by 'Firelight' despite Marceau's presence JAKARTA (JP): Beauty is only skin deep... but oh how beautiful some of that skin is! Sophie Marceau ranks right up there with the likes of Bridget Bardot, Catherine Deneauve and Isabelle Adjani as one of the most beautiful French actresses to grace the silver screen. Her sensuous presence is enough to keep fans glued to their seats for any film she appears in.

Expert opinion? You'll have to decide for yourself JAKARTA (JP): Every single day, people are bombarded with comments by observers on the continuing economic and political crises -- a topic that has been dominating the media since the trouble began in July 1997. But what do the people think about all this punditry? Do they really believe, or care about, every word of these "experts"? Or are they already fed up with the opinion overflow?

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 Ethic Program 11:30 Talk Show 12:15 p.m.

Children's TV show combines fun with moral message By R. Masri Sareb Putra JAKARTA (JP): Saras 008 is one of the most popular children's TV programs. Legions of children eagerly await its broadcast on Indosiar private TV station at 7:30 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday. Consisting of 100 episodes and first broadcast in mid-November 1998, it dwells on the duel between virtue and vice, respectively symbolized by the show's opposing protagonists, Saras and Mr. Black.

Economic crash forces ICAC to downsize By Mehru Jaffer JAKARTA (JP): For nearly a quarter of a century, the gates of Jakarta's International Community Activity Center (ICAC) remained open to everyone in the city. Today, the center is being forced to pull down the shutters on many of its activities as the economic storm huffs and puffs at its doors, threatening to blow the house away.

Sizing up value of expert advice You see them on TV, you read their columns and interviews, you attend their lectures and seminars, but at some point you feel enough is enough. Call them experts, pundits, analysts, observers -- their opinions can be invaluable, but they may come with a price tag. The Jakarta Post team Ahmad Junaidi, Budiman Moerdijat, Devi M.

One killed, 16 injured in predawn Ambon shooting JAKARTA (JP): One man died and at least 16 others were injured after armed security personnel opened fire on crowds watching over the fire-bombed Silo Church in the riot-torn Maluku capital of Ambon early Saturday, church sources and hospital staff said.

Guess What? Amien Rais Amien Rais, staunch critic of former president Soeharto and leader of the National Mandate Party, abruptly walked out after addressing a Jakarta seminar on the political crisis on Thursday. Economist Hadi Soesastro, who presided over the seminar with the title, Challenges for New Indonesia, said Amien had an appointment for a medical check-up due to his high blood pressure.

Budiman's father set to give thanks if son released JAKARTA (JP): The father of jailed Democratic People's Party (PRD) leader Budiman Sudjatmiko said on Saturday he would organize charitable activities to express gratitude to God if his son was released. Wartono Karyo Utomo said he and his wife Sri Sularsi had saved enough money to finance a mass circumcision and the slaughtering of goats for distribution of the meat to the poor, which was his son's wish.

Have we lost our sense of numbers? BANDUNG (JP): My roommate has given up news. Well, I don't blame him. It's the time where getting the news actually is more confusing than not getting it. The only interesting thing about the news today is the fact that most of the cases featured are never solved. There are too many stories featured so that keeping in touch with one is very difficult. This country is really a news factory, in fact.