Kalimantan's Dayaks becoming modern farmers By Anton Sudarisman BALIKPAPAN, East Kalimantan (JP): Mayang, a Dayak, stared at a vast plot of thriving paddy. "It's a miracle," uttered the dark-skinned, slight man. "This area was covered with weeds and wild plants several months ago. Now it has turned into promising land, giving crops to my family and other members of the group," he said, proudly pointing at the yellowish crop covering 20 hectares of land he cleared just six months ago.

Sanrego a Viagra rival from South Sulawesi By Jupriadi UJUNGPANDANG, South Sulawesi (JP): Viagra, which has just had the official green light to enter the Indonesian market, has a potential local competitor. Amazingly, the indigenous Viagra alternative does not involve any sophisticated pharmaceutical technology to make. In fact it is derived directly from the Sanrego plant (lunasia amara blanco), which grows abundantly in eastern Indonesian forests.

Malaysian workers hold rallies KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysian workers urged the government during rallies Saturday to solve serious labor woes as Premier Mahathir Mohamad called on workers to help in the economic recovery. "For decades plantation workers have been fighting for monthly wages and better housing, but the government has ignored their plight," Mohamad Nasir Hashim, president of the Socialist Party of Malaysia told AFP.

Alatas arrives in Cambodia PHNOM PENH (AFP): Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas arrived in Phnom Penh for a brief visit Saturday, after describing Cambodia's admission to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as a "watershed event", officials said. Cambodia joined the regional grouping Friday at a ceremony in Hanoi, shaking off decades of international isolation and fulfilling the bloc's dream of embracing all 10 Southeast Asian neighbors.

'Focus on Indonesia' at SIFF By Rayya Makarim SINGAPROE (JP): With a selection of 300 movies, the just- finished Singapore International Film Festival (SIFF) was generous in providing a segment titled "Focus on Indonesia". Among the masters Eisenstein, Chabrol and Herzog, there was also a retrospective on Arifin C. Noer.

At least four killed as PPP, PKB supporters clash SEMARANG (JP): At least four people died and dozens were injured in a clash involving supporters of the United Development Party (PPP) and the National Awakening Party (PKB) in the Jepara regency late on Friday. Fourteen motorcycles and two houses were set on fire. The clash occurred when PKB supporters were holding the dedication of their new village branch in Dongos, Kedung district.

People told not to go abroad ahead of polls CIAMIS, West Java (JP): President B.J. Habibie urged all Indonesians not to go abroad ahead of the June 7 general election, telling them to exercise their right to vote. The President said people needed to remain at home because successful elections were the only way the country could begin to recover from the prolonged economic and political crises. He said there was no reason for people to flee because the elections would run peacefully and smoothly.

Irian Jaya's Amungme led to literacy in Banti school By Catur Budihantoro J. TIMIKA, Irian Jaya (JP): While formal education in other parts of Indonesia is advancing, it has just begun in Banti village, about 80 kilometers north of here. A lot of credit for this must go to Stefanus Kamo. The 55-year-old civil servant has lead the Amungme, one of Irian Jaya's 250 tribes, to literacy. Since the outset, Kamo, who hails from Paniai-Nabire, elsewhere in Irian Jaya, has had to work hard.

Quo vadis the Indonesian banking system? JAKARTA (JP): "Three hundred trillion rupiah!" shouted Iman in anguish. "That's what this country needs to recapitalize the troubled banks. We don't need a minister of finance, Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency or IBRA to spend that kind of money.

Elementary school dropout becomes batik master By Rita A. Widiadana JAKARTA (JP): Josephine Komara, popularly known as Obin, never dreamed of running a flourishing business in batik and the traditional textile world. Born and raised for the most part of her youth in the Chinatown area on Jl. Kopi, Central Jakarta, Obin, the youngest of three children, used to help out at her parents' business which left little time for a formal education.

Chess association names board members JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Chess Association (Percasi) has named their board members for the 1999 to 2003 period. Percasi chairman Bambang Rachmadi made the announcement on Sunday at the end of the one-month period given to the association to name its new board members. Bambang is also president of the local McDonalds. A number of board members from the 1995 to 1999 period were included on the new board.

Workers stage rally in Semarang SEMARANG (JP): About 2,500 workers staged a demonstration on Saturday at the Central Java governor's office in conjunction with International Labor Day, which fell on May 1. Governor Mardiyanto was seen among the workers, and said he supported the peaceful rally. The workers, who came from various areas in Central Java, displayed hundreds of posters and banners and also held free speech forums.

H.S Dillon champions the plight of farmers By Sylvia Gratia M. Nirang JAKARTA (JP): Harbrinderjit Singh Dillon always speaks his mind when talking about human rights, farmers and the country's national unity. He is widely known as a government critic. His criticisms range from agricultural policies to political and social problems.

Vocational schools struggle to be come more professional Vocational education tries to bring the education system in line with the changing needs of industry and commerce. Vocational schools are expected to yield professional, highly skilled individuals who will meet the demands of rapidly changing workplaces. Such expectations are proving difficult to achieve. In conjunction with National Education Day, which falls today, The Jakarta Post's Rita A.

Worldwide education out of reach JAKARTA (JP): Education is the true essence of human development. Without education, development can be neither broad-based nor sustained. But as the 21st century draws near, nearly a billion people remain unable to read a book or sign their names.

Dili tense as deadline for 'extermination' passes JAKARTA (Agencies): East Timor's capital of Dili was tense but quiet on Saturday despite a threat by a pro-Jakarta group to begin cleansing the city of independence supporters. "I went to bed around 4 a.m. and I did not hear of any violence in Dili so far," said a spokeswoman for the proindependence National Council for the Timorese Resistance, Reuters reported.

Many baffled by voting options By Stevie Emilia JAKARTA (JP): An ojek (motorcycle taxi) driver proudly displayed his hat bearing the symbol of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) and, while waiting for passengers, chatted with his friends about the party's past achievements. Maman, who operates in North Jakarta's Pademangan area, said he bought the hat from a sidewalk vendor for Rp 5,000.

Spotlight Photo A: Honda JP/alx NEW GENERATION: PT Honda Prospect Motor's executives launch the sixth generation of Honda Accord at the Horison Hotel Jakarta. The launching, held on Monday, was attended by the company's vice presidents (from left) N. Nishimoto, S. Tanaka and B. Kusnadi. Photo B: Visa Visa International GRADUATION CREDIT: Visa International's country manager Elyana C.

Lontar Gallery revives tradition of artists dialog with exhibition By Chandra Johan JAKARTA (JP): To the modern artist, dialogs are part and parcel of the creation process. In Indonesia, this tradition started in the 1950s during the S. Sudjono era and usually took place at the artist's workshop. The lost tradition has been revived by Satya Graha, Jerry T.

Treasure trove of images and thoughts for meditation Vipassana: Images for Meditation; Vivek R. Bammi; Rp 75,000; 102pp JAKARTA (JP): In these turbulent times, the mind often seeks escape to rejuvenate and feed itself on the tranquility that lives there. In concurrence with this search of universalness and transcendence amid a transient social atmosphere, a teacher from the Jakarta International School, Vivek R.

RI migrants in United States lack a field of influence By Akhmad Kusaeni NEW YORK (Antara): If one wants to know about the tight competition among immigrants in the U.S., one should go to New York City, a megalopolis which is heaven or hell for immigrants from various countries and nations. Immigrants from all over the world come to the "melting pot" to look for a new beginning and realize their dreams. How are the immigrants from Indonesia doing?

KONI told to not to generalize in regard to field test results JAKARTA (JP): A sports expert has called on National Sports Council (KONI) officials to avoid assuming that all athletes being prepared for the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games are in poor condition just because they did not do well in field tests.

Exotic Singkawang ceramics stand in for Chinese antiques Text and photos by P.J. Leo SINGKAWANG, West Kalimantan (JP): Natural hues and antique engraved motifs decorate the Sinar Terang ceramics which resemble antique large water jars from an ancient Chinese dynasty. A factory for their production was set up in 1980 by Tjhai Thiam Djin, 58, -- known to close friends as Ibu Tjhai -- at her residence on Jl. Padang Pasir, Singkawang.

Mahathir says Azizah a puppet of Manila KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Saturday accused the wife of his jailed former deputy of seeking the support of the Philippines to bring about political change in Malaysia. Mahathir said Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who heads a political movement for her husband Anwar Ibrahim, had become a puppet of foreign leaders like Philippine President Joseph Estrada.

Vocational education policy 'not serious' JAKARTA (JP): For many people interested and involved in education, vocational schools and training courses have always been regarded as inferior to regular junior and senior high schools. Harry Darsono, chairman of the Arts and Design Department of the National Council for Vocational Education, has a different view.

Yani's art brings reality to the forefront Text and photos by Tjahjono Ep. YOGYAKARTA (JP): Painter Yani Halim's latest show at Kedai Kebun, Jl. Tirtodipuran No. 3, has an odd English title: Informal Chicken Display. Yani says the exhibition is about realities which are often neglected because they are considered trivial. All 18 of his works are either 40cm by 40cm or 50cm by 50cm.