My case visits 'Ibu Menteri' No doubt there is much speculation abroad about why the venerable Adi Sasono, Minister of Cooperatives and Small Enterprises, was recently dismissed from Golkar. I would like to contribute my version of the events. Two weeks ago, I went to Jakarta for an industrial project. I had to visit factories in the Tangerang and Bekasi areas, so I took a collection of cotton locally made clothes to get through the hot and dirty days. I arrived safely, but my suitcase did not.

New incentives proposed to lure foreign investors JAKARTA (JP): The government is considering giving permanent resident status to foreigners who invest US$1 million or more in the country. State Minister of Investment/Chairman of the Investment Planning Board (BKPM) Marzuki Usman said here on Tuesday that the planned move was necessary to lure foreign investors back into the country.

Parties battle in the skies PADANG, West Sumatra: Major political parties contesting next weeks elections are intensifying their war of words into the skies. Over the past week, kites carrying symbols of the popular parties here -- the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), the National Mandate Party (PAN), the Justice Party (PK) and the Crescent Star Party (PBB) -- are flying high in Padang skies.

AIA's premium income surges JAKARTA (JP): Life insurance company PT Asuransi AIA Indonesia announced on Tuesday a 150 percent growth in its premium income to Rp 118.50 billion (about US$14.8 million) in 1998 compared to the figure in previous year. Company general manager and director Mark S. O'Dell said the company's assets were Rp 305.60 billion, while liquid assets were Rp 279.75 billion. Total claims paid by AIA Indonesia in 1998 reached Rp 98.51 billion, O'Dell said.

Message from the Ambassador The celebration of a national day affords the opportunity to illustrate the relations between two countries and, where possible, their strength and depth. I will not abstain from this outstanding task and, therefore, I am proud to remind everyone that the first documented contact between Italy and Indonesia is found in Milione, the famous book by Marco Polo.

East Timor policy needs rethinking By Jusuf Wanandi JAKARTA (JP): The Habibie government proposal in mid-1998 to grant special autonomy status to East Timor was a measure too little and too late. Although it specified full home rule, with the exception of defense, foreign affairs and monetary policies, which would continue to be handled by the central government, the proposal is no longer acceptable to most East Timorese. Had this been proposed two years earlier, it might have been accepted.

Habibie's mixed-up ancestry To be forthright about one's ancestry is a laudable attitude to take. Unfortunately, Habibie is adopting this stance at the very time when everyone knows he has ambitions to be elected President of Indonesia for the 1999-2004 term. His present claim to be descended from an aristocratic Javanese family very clearly demonstrates his desire to acquire that highest seat of power.

Wardah keeps social justice issues alive By Herry Nurdi JAKARTA (JP): Many television viewers still remember during a recent talk show how Wardah Hafidz maintained her cool and, without raising her tone, relentlessly shot questions and illustrations at an executive of the People's Sovereignty Party (PDR) which she accused of committing money politics. Looking ill at ease but maintaining his party's innocence, the politician kept dodging Wardah's questions until the show ended.

593 senior officers opt to leave military JAKARTA (JP): A total of 593 middle and high-ranking military officers, many with strategic positions in the bureaucracy and current Cabinet, declared on Tuesday their decision to leave the military. Their departure was marked in a ceremony led by Minister of Defense and Security/Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Wiranto at TNI Headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta. Also present were Army chief Gen.

Animals, dancers set rally alight SEMARANG: Good times were had by all when thousands of Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) here painted the Central Java capital red on Tuesday. A group of partisan supporters brought with them wild and domestic animals, adding life to the campaign rally across the city. Amid deafening drums beaten by the marching crowd, ducks, chickens, birds, snakes and orangutans stole the show.

New ferry's maiden voyage all at sea SEMARANG, Central Java: German-made Mahakam express passenger ferry, operated by state water transportation company PT ASDP, had significant problems on her maiden voyage on Monday from the Kumai seaport in Central Kalimantan to Tanjung Emas Port in Semarang, Central Java. The fast ship, which was built last year, took an extra two hours on its trip due to the tardy response of its autopilot, which forced the ferry at a slower speed.

Palangka Raya turns blue PALANGKA RAYA, Central Kalimantan: The National Mandate Party (PAN) sealed its election campaign here on a high note, with a crowd of some 10,000 attending its rally at Cilik Riwut soccer field in the outskirt of this provincial capital. Local PAN officials, who did not want the party supporters to think hard this time around, allowed the crowd to dance amid songs performed by dangdut singer Yulia Citra.

Eni in Indonesia contributes to RI's growing energy need Eni, the Italian oil and natural gas company, has leading international market positions in oil and gas, petrochemical and oil field services and engineering industries. Eni has been operating in Indonesia since 1970. Saipem, Eni's engineering and contracting arm, has been awarded the engineering and installation of two natural gas sea lines, each 25 kilometers long, in East Kalimantan.

JSX ready for the millennium bug JAKARTA (JP): The president of the Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX), Mas Achmad Daniri, said on Tuesday the exchange was nearly year 2000 compliant. "Almost 100 percent of the hardware in the exchange's infrastructure is Y2K compliant," Daniri said. However, he said some minor problems in a few areas still required further attention. "Only some minor areas need fine-tuning," he said, adding that the exchange was working with an Australian Y2K auditor firm.

Polls in Irian villages in doubt MERAUKE, Irian Jaya: The election day in remote villages in the Merauke regency may have to be delayed because only a few ballot sheets and boxes have arrived, a local official said on Tuesday. R. Gatot Marsigit, chairman of the regency elections committee, told Antara that most of the ballot boxes were still stranded in Merauke awaiting seals from Jakarta.

Indonesians swarm Singapore SINGAPORE (AFP): An influx of Indonesians fearing election- related unrest and an international convention are expected to boost Singapore hotel occupancy in June to the year's highest level, a report said Tuesday. Hotels surveyed by the Business Times expected occupancy rates in June to rise to between 75 percent to 85 percent.

All hostages fine: Military JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Trikora Military Commander Maj. Gen. Amir Sembiring said on Tuesday that 11 Irianese hostages released by rebels on Monday "are in fine condition". They were treated well by their abductors, the two-star general said.