'New Day' celebration on Solor Island By Yacob J. Herin LAMAOLE, Solor, East Nusa Tenggara (JP): A "new day" sets in every year between July 16 and July 18 for the people in Lewotana Ole village, some 15 kilometers south of Rita Ebang, capital of West Solor district, East Flores regency, East Nusa Tenggara province. At that time they celebrate Wuu Hori (a new day).

Ink crisis hits Wamena WAMENA, Irian Jaya: Half of the hundreds of bottles of ink to be used in Monday's polls are broken, a local election official reported Saturday. The ink was received from Jakarta via the local post office for 476 polling places across Jayawijaya regency. Henky Nahuway, deputy chief of the Jayawijaya election committee said he had Jakarta send 250 bottles of ink to substitute the broken ones but none had arrived by Saturday.

New wave of Islamic intellectuals Islam dan Negara: Transformasi Pemikiran dan Praktik Politik Islam di Indonesia (Islam and the State: The Transformation of Islamic Thought and Political Practices in Indonesia); By Bahtiar Effendy; Yayasan Paramadina, Jakarta, October 1998; xvii and 374 pp; Rp 35,000. JAKARTA (JP): In Indonesia, the political relationship between Islam and the state since the end of Dutch colonialism has been problematic.

Carter praises lack of violence during campaign JAKARTA (JP): Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter on Saturday hailed the lack of violence in the campaign for Indonesia's first democratic election in 44 years, and said he believed it would be fair and free. Carter, who is in Indonesia heading a team of election observers, said Indonesians had shown their commitment to democracy through a peaceful campaign.

Islamic parties seen to win polls BOGOR, West Java: A.M. Saefuddin, a deputy chairman of the United Development Party (PPP), predicted on Saturday that an alliance of Islamic parties would win at the polls. He based his prophecy on the fact that 80 percent of eligible voters are in rural areas where Muslims are predominant. "I believe the Islamic parties will emerge as winners because they are rural-based," he told reporters. Besides, he said, the victory would be a divine victory.

Menteng Pulo, a graveyard full of history By David Jardine JAKARTA (JP): It was November, 1983 and my first trip to Indonesia. Getting off the train in Surabaya and not knowing what to expect, I looked around for a taxi. The vehicle I got into outside the main railway station was unmarked and a shade unroadworthy. Not to worry, the driver seemed friendly enough. "Where do you come from, Mister?" "Britain. I am British." A huge smile spread across his face.

Buton readies 1,500 officers BAUBAU, Southeast Sulawesi: The Buton regency has readied 1,500 police and army personnel to secure next week's elections in the archipelago. The electoral preparations in Buton have been hampered by a late delivery of balloting materials to the remote Tukang Besi islands. Buton Police chief Lt. Col. Kurnia Suratno S. said that certain areas of the regency are susceptible to unrest given the temperamental residents.

Stone stars in 'conventional' 'Gloria' from Sidney Lumet By Tam Notosusanto JAKARTA (JP): Dog Day Afternoon. Network. Serpico. Murder on the Orient Express. The Verdict. These are some landmarks of 1970s and early 1980s American cinema. And they all came out of the able hands of veteran director Sidney Lumet.

The long, winding and stinking road to true democracy JAKARTA (JP): Since most Indonesians are still "young", the majority of the population in this fourth-largest nation on earth might not have any recollection whatsoever about the first, violent-free and truly democratic elections that Indonesia had in 1955. Older people, who supposedly were eager voters then, are suddenly suffering severe amnesia now -- ostensibly due to systematic brainwashing over the past 44 years.

Elections on schedule despite preparation snags JAKARTA (JP): Reports of glitches in the logistics of poll preparations continued to stream in from various regions on Saturday, but the National Elections Committee (PPI) was confident the poll will take place as scheduled on Monday. PPI chairman Jacob Tobing said materials such as ballot papers, hologram stickers to be attached to the sheets, related forms and documents have reached the polling stations.

20 PR supporters die in accident MAUMERE, East Nusa Tenggara: At least 20 supporters of the Republican Party were killed and 10 seriously injured when their bus plunged down a 77-meter deep ravine in Waingapu Friday. The rest of the passengers were slightly injured. The bus carried about 50 people headed for the party's last round of campaigning. "Those seriously injured are under intensive treatment at Waingapu hospital," said East Sumba Police chief Lt. Col. Rahardjo.

Balloting materials yet to reach Medan MEDAN: Many polling places are yet to receive complete packages of balloting sheets, vote counting forms and indelible ink, a local official said Saturday. Ahmad Hidayat Nasution, chief of North Sumatra sociopolitical affairs, said that districts yet to receive the complete packages were Medan, Deli Serdang, Tebing Tinggi, Toba Samosir, Mandailing Natal, Asahan, Labuhan Batu and Central Tapanuli.

Few political parties have ecology agenda JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Forum for Environment (Walhi) is dismayed by the country's political parties lack of concern on environmental issues. Walhi noted only four of Indonesia's 48 political parties to contest Monday's elections have environmental issues high on their agenda.

Works in style of famed painters find a niche By Putu Wirata DENPASAR (JP): Do you want to buy cheap paintings in the style of Made Wianta, Nyoman Gunarsa, Han Snel or Basuki Abdullah? Go to certain art shops in Ubud and you will find them all. "The paintings are not counterfeit, the painters only imitate our style. How can we sue them," Made Wianta, 48, one of the Balinese painters whose works are widely imitated, asked.

Spotlight Photo A: Mandarin Mandarin Oriental Jakarta FAREWELL LUNCHEON: Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas (right) and wife, Yunisa Alatas (second right) host a farewell luncheon in honor of the Republic of Turkey's ambassador Mehmet Guney (left) and wife, Inci Guney. The luncheon was held recently at the Esquire Room, Mandarin Oriental Jakarta.

Most parties disobeyed rules: Poll watchdog JAKARTA (JP): The Election Supervisory Committee (Panwaslu) announced on Saturday almost all of the 48 political parties contesting the general election on Monday have violated various election rules.

Remote places unmonitored KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: The local branch of the Independent Election Monitoring Committee (KIPPDA) has no human resources to reach remote areas where poll rigging is highly probable. KIPPDA secretary-general Patrick Passasung told Antara Saturday that the isolated areas it could not afford to monitor include the sprawling Wakatobi islands, Buton regency and coastal districts of Kendari.

For Remy Sylado, 23761 are the Magic Notes By Tam Notosusanto JAKARTA (JP): Just what do you talk about with a man of such diverse talents and interests as Remy Sylado? Everything. He speaks intelligently about theater and poetry. He can give a scholarly analysis about Indonesian music, then he will switch to a deep discussion on theology. Next, it's film, sociology, history, you name it. Sylado speaks eloquently on a wide range of topics, from Sitti Nurbaya to The Beatles.

Parents' fight to help child with autism By Agni Amorita JAKARTA (JP): When their third child was born in good health on Nov. 29, 1992, Dwi Widodo and his wife Tuti were very happy. The baby boy was named Pamungkas and called Amung for short. But despite his rapid physical development, three-year-old Amung still could not speak. Dwi and Tuti took Amung to the family's pediatrician several times only to be told that they should be patient because the phenomenon was common.

General election features in the country's postage stamps JAKARTA (JP): There is no denying that a country's postage stamps often reflect something of the country itself. They usually feature the country's flora and fauna, its heroes and famous figures and its historic events. One of the historic events in Indonesia is this year's general election.

Street children face exploitation in Surabaya By Gin Kurniawan SURABAYA (JP): As night arrives, Kembang Kuning graveyard comes alive. This is the place where many men satisfy their sexual drives. In fact, at night, the graveyard becomes a meat market. Hundreds of sex workers, including transvestites and some children, work in this 4-hectare Chinese graveyard, charging customers between Rp 3,000 and Rp 10,000.

Indonesian gold designs to compete in Hong Kong JAKARTA (JP): Picasso, Dali and Van Gogh are alive in the minds of local gold designers. They are among the world's maestros who have become their sources of inspiration which have brought them to the Asian Gold Design contest in Hong Kong, scheduled to be held in September. Eleven works of nine artists have been selected to represent Indonesia in the event.

Guess What? Harry Roesli Bitter experiences do not easily fade away. Ask musician Harry Roesli about it and he will immediately agree. Under the New Order regime he was tortured and jailed for his involvement in the 1974 student protest against perceived Japanese economic dominance, known as the Malari incident. "I was hit in the head. The scars are still there, as a 'souvenir' from them," he said of his one month jailing. "They urinated on me ...

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Baduy tribe shuns right to vote By Andrew Marshall GAJEBOH, West Java (Reuters): Deep in the remote highland jungles of west Java, an enigmatic Indonesian tribe has finally won a cherished political right -- not to vote. When Indonesians go to the polls on June 7 in their first taste of democratic elections in more than four decades, the reclusive Baduy people will not be among them.

Exhaust pipes a metaphor for reviled New Order By Ahmad Solikhan YOGYAKARTA (JP): No loud growling noises and no thick black smoke pollutes the Cemeti Art House, where an exhibition with the theme of exhaust pipes is now under way. What you find is a debate, of sorts, featuring installations, paintings and drawings, all attempting to recapture the oddities of the New Order era.

Police take over security in E. Timor DILI, East Timor (JP): The East Timor Provincial Police took over security affairs in the territory from the military on Saturday in a move to create a conducive security climate ahead of the United Nations-sponsored ballot. The transfer of authority was marked by the admission of 460 Mobile Brigade personnel and the withdrawal of 1,500 combat troops from the province in two separate ceremonies here. Provincial Police chief Col.

Military guards settlers in Aceh By Budiman Moerdijat LHOKSEUMAWE, North Aceh (JP): Armored vehicles and heavily armed troops rushed on Saturday to guard a migrant settlers village in Syamtalira Bayu district, some 40 kilometers south of here, where unidentified groups of men have been intimidating residents to boycott the elections. Earlier in the day, Lilawangsa Military Commander Col.

Thoroughly modern managers take charge of pop singers By Helly Minarti JAKARTA (JP): On the surface pop music is about glitz and making hits. But at a closer look, it is more than some cool artists playing good music and singing some chart climbing tunes. The fact is, the new magic word of today's pop world successes is the management that backs the show.