RI cyclists compete for Olympic berths JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Cycling Association (ISSI) plans to send five mountain cyclists to compete in the Asian cycling championship in Malaka, Malaysia, on Sept. 25 and Sept. 26, which also serves as a prequalifying round for the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. ISSI secretary-general Sofian Ruzian identified the cyclists as Rissa Suseanty, Ferry Sonic, Sugianto Setiawan, Zainul Siswanto and Harly.

What does a tie mean to you? By Agni Amorita JAKARTA (JP): Murdjadi Ichsan, 44, public relations coordinator at RCTI, is obsessed with neckties. For Ichsan, owner of 1,480 ties, a tie is more than just an accessory for his daily outfit. "I have been collecting ties since I was in junior high," he said. "Most of them, more than 1000, are collectors items which are known as limited editions." Ichsan obtained his collections mostly by mail order.

It is too late, Sir By Sori Siregar When the tension in East Timor escalated, the News Director summoned us to a meeting. "See, what did I tell you? The tension is growing intolerably in East Timor. Many innocent people have died and the lives of many journalists threatened. What if we had sent Pramono to the troubled province? All of us would be sleepless for risking his life. If something unwanted had happened to him his wife would hate us.

Sheila on 7 enjoying the newfound fruits of pop success By Helly Minarti JAKARTA (JP): The scene is now a typical one for Sheila on 7, a new pop group of five lads in their early 20s. Riding a big bus from town to town, they are running through a hectic schedule -- fully booked to next Christmas. Throngs of teenyboppers ask for their autograph, photos and a peck on the cheek whenever the event organizer fails to escort the band safely backstage before and after a show. And onstage?

Wiranto to recommend early UN force in East Timor By Imanuddin DILI, East Timor (JP): Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Gen. Wiranto said on Saturday that he was ready to recommend that President B.J. Habibie allow the presence of a United Nations peacekeeping force in East Timor sooner than November.

Drug addicts get second chance By Mehru Jaffer JAKARTA (JP): He is only 21 years old but the story of his life is enough to fill up a book of a thousand and one pages. Till the age of 15 he was a happy-go-lucky teenager of a middle-class family in Jakarta. Then one of his friends introduced him to ganja, or marijuana, after an innocent game of basketball. "That one moment changed my entire life, forever. I could not do without it anymore. When I did not find ganja I took tranquilizers, Valium...

Senior broadcaster involves listeners in current issues JAKARTA (JP): You may know their voices well, but you don't really know who they are. Most radio broadcasters are indeed a mystery to their fans because, unlike TV presenters, their faces are hidden from listeners. Even though they are not as popular as their colleagues in television, radio broadcasters are indeed not less important. And it is not easy to be a good one.

Kubu culture under threat from outside Text and photos by Pandaya SOROLANGUN, Jambi (JP): There are few people the Kubu tribespeople of Jambi trust like Robert Aritonang, a Batak anthropologist who has spent two years doing a study in the jungle on the "primitive" community. If Aritonang asks them to strip to their loin cloths to pose for visiting photographers, they will dutifully do so, although being photographed is in fact taboo for them.

Malaysia leader dismisses Anwar's claim on poisoning KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Saturday dismissed allegations that his former deputy Anwar Ibrahim had been poisoned as the government launched a counter-attack against the jailed ex-cabinet minister.

Great painter Miro meets Nashar at a Bali gallery By Chandra Johan SANUR, Bali (JP): Joan Miro, the great world-renowned painter, meets Nashar, Indonesia's maestro painter. Not the people, but the art. Around 30 of Joan Miro's (l893-l983) works and 20 of Nashar's (l928-l994) are on display at Darga Gallery in Sanur, Bali, in a joint exhibition from Sept. 2 to Sept. 23. This is a rare event, indeed.

A magical 'pawang hujan' will keep the rain away By Jules Bell and Irene Sugiharto JAKARTA (JP): How do you ensure that your wedding does not become a pool party, where your guests run for cover as you marry under thundering skies? To stop the bridesmaids from turning into mermaids, you can hire a pawang hujan. Because apparently they possess magical powers. Pawang hujan are rain guides. They specialize in preventing rainstorms that would otherwise be seriously inconvenient.

Horsing around with 'andongs' in Yogyakarta By Ahmad Solikhan YOGYAKARTA (JP): Clip-clap-clip-clap. The sound of hoofs from a horse cart on the pavement. The four-wheel carriage, called an andong here, is a traditional means of transport still found in Yogyakarta. The design of the carriage is very simple, but it carries a lot of ornaments in an attempt to attract passengers. In the past, the andong was an adequate and versatile means of transportation. But not today.

Body Language helps fight flab, build self-confidence By Sadie Mah JAKARTA (JP): Susan had been trying to lose weight for years. Dieting and exercising did nothing to alter her body shape. Four months ago, she started taking Body Language classes. Today, she is nine kilograms lighter, and the proud owner of a curvaceous body. Like Susan, those who have taken up Body Language are wildly enthusiastic about its benefits, claiming it has helped improve their body shape, and enhance their sex life.

World ups pressure on Indonesia AUCKLAND (Agencies): U.S. President Bill Clinton led an international chorus on Saturday calling on Indonesia to let in international peacekeeping force in East Timor. Clinton, in Auckland for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, said it was imperative Indonesia request a United Nations peace-keeping force.

Kites fly high with fans young and old By I. Christianto JAKARTA (JP): The wind blew hard and people cheered, watching their kites fly high in the air on that afternoon in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta. Many kite devotees, young and old, flocked to this area, formerly the capital's airport, to fly this lightweight air-borne device. Kemayoran is just one place in the greater Jakarta area where people gather to fly their kites.

Trade way down agenda at APEC summit AUCKLAND (Reuters): Leaders of the world's biggest nations gathered in New Zealand on Saturday to talk about trade, but ended up spending most of their time discussing politics. Massacres in East Timor, Chinese threats against Taiwan and strained Sino-U.S. relations dominated bilateral meetings between the heads of the 21 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) economies before a summit on Sunday and Monday. Top of the agenda for U.S.

Children of Timor veterans protest at Australian and U.S. embassies JAKARTA (JP): Some 200 youths, offspring of veterans and soldiers who died in the East Timor campaign, protested at the Australian and United States embassies on Saturday, calling on the countries to stay out of Indonesia's domestic affairs. "We reject foreign interference.

Radio station set to enlighten listeners By T. Sima Gunawan JAKARTA (JP): The downfall of former president Soeharto has had a tremendous effect on many people. One person who felt an immediate effect was Nor Pud Binarto, a former student activist who found himself unemployed during the Soeharto administration because of his critical stands. "On May 21, 1998, at 11 a.m., only an hour after Soeharto resigned, I got a call from a friend asking me to manage a radio station," Binarto said.

Talk radio tunes in to listeners' concerns People turn on the radio not only to listen to music, but also to follow the latest news and current issues discussed in talk shows. The Jakarta Post reporter T. Sima Gunawan observes the trend in conjunction with the country's 54th Radio Day on Saturday. Related stories on Page 3. JAKARTA (JP): The man's voice was emotional. "The military is behind the East Timor unrest," he declared fervently.

British woman narrates account of prison torture Bertahan Hidup di Gulag Indonesia (Surviving Indonesia's Gulag); Author: Carmel Budiardjo; Translator: Lina; Publisher: Masyarakat Indonesia untuk Kemanusiaan (Indonesian Society For Humanity), Jakarta, March 1999; 298 pages; Rp 20,000. JAKARTA (JP): The prisoners accused of involvement in the Indonesian Communist Party's coup attempt -- known as the Sept. 30, 1965 incident -- have all been set free.

Cavalry complex offers an equine adventure A group of reporters was recently invited by the Boca Pirento travel agency to inspect a new tourist site in Lembang, West Java: a cavalry complex. The Jakarta Post reporter A'an Suryana went on the two-day tour. LEMBANG, West Java (JP): Throughout history horses have served vital functions in transportation, warfare and farming. But the gigantic inroads of industrialization blocked their advancement. Technology literally put a cramp in their step.