Indonesian art, hot items at auctions By Boudewijn Brands AMSTERDAM, the Netherlands (JP): A concentration of offers attract more buyers. That is a marketing strategy. So usually, auction houses, targeting wealthy buyers in Singapore, plan their sales at the same time. The art market in this region seems to be on the move, and again, Glerum seems to take the initiative.

Estrada 'heard' about check PUERTO PRINCESA, Philippines (AFP): Impeached Philippine President Joseph Estrada said Saturday "somebody told me" about a five million peso (US$100,000) gift from a former friend who later accused the Philippine leader of taking bribes. Estrada, in the midst of a corruption trial in the Sentae, told reporters during a flying visit to this western city that he had "heard" about the money given by Luis Singson to an unspecified party.

Aussie, Kiwi plan new W. Pacific forum AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP): Aiming at strengthening ties between nations in the West Pacific, Australian and New Zealand on Saturday said they want to establish a new forum in the region. New Zealand Foreign Minister Phil Goff and his Australian counterpart, Alexander Downer, told reporters they hoped to start drafting a framework for the new body early next year.

Slow down to keep fit in Ramadhan By Tri Hafiningsih JAKARTA (JP): Fasting during the holy month of Ramadhan means no food and drink from dawn till dusk, but this does not necessarily have to have a detrimental effect on your physical fitness. You can still do the religious fasting services and maintain a regular workout routine to keep yourself fit at the same time. If you do regular workouts or sports, you can continue your fitness routine, but you need to slow down.

How to minimize the disruption The End of Change -- How Your Company can Sustain Growth and Innovation while Avoiding Change Fatigue By Peter Scott-Morgan, Erik Hoving, Henk Smit and Arnoud van der Slot McGraw-Hill, 2001 302 pp US$24.95 JAKARTA (JP): Nothing is permanent but change. As ancient as this famous quotation from Heraclitus is, it is much more applicable today in the increasingly complex business world.

'Siapa Berani' still not bold enough Siapa Berani Hosts: Helmi Yahya, Alya Rohali Indosiar 8 a.m. - 9 a.m. (weekdays) JAKARTA (JP): Siapa Berani (Who's Brave) owes much to Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, the UK show which became a phenomenon in the U.S. with its offer of untold riches to those with a better than average knowledge of trivia. The local take is that contestants can be millionaires, but in rupiah -- the tidy sum of Rp 7.5 million to be exact.

Old buildings still have some spirit left By Ida Indawati Khouw JAKARTA (JP): "The Ministry of Finance will move its offices because ghosts have been seen roaming the building and scaring the staff," a newspaper reported in July. And the person quoted by the newspaper was no other than then finance minister Bambang Sudibyo. He was referring to the old Dutch colonial building of the National Development Planning Board (Bappenas), located on Jl. Diponegoro, Central Jakarta.

Ramadhan time for Jakarta Sunday Maghrib 6:06 p.m. Monday Imsak 4:02 a.m. Subuh 4:12 a.m.

C. Java youths eye Sri Lanka SEMARANG (JP): Three Central Java tennis players have been training hard over the past month in the hope of being selected for next year's junior tennis World Cup in Sri Lanka. The Central Java chapter of the Indonesian Tennis Association hopes to send Prima Simpatiaji, Fera Gautama and Benny Siswanto to take part in the selection process in Jakarta in January.

Bogus psychics taking advantage of the economic crisis By Gin Kurniawan SURABAYA (JP): Crisis does not always mean sluggish business. On the contrary, while many are complaining about the protracted economic crisis, psychics are making a lot of money. The past two years may be called the boom time for psychics who practice in modest houses in remote areas to star-rated hotels in big cities such as Jakarta and Surabaya.

Political sparring on chat lines? Why not? JAKARTA (JP): I didn't know how much people needed to share their thoughts, anger, sorrow and happiness until I sat in the operators' room at a communications company providing telephone chatting services. I used to think that chatting was a total waste of time and money, what with the high premium rate.

Announce every fraud From Media Indonesia This is the time that we should rise and work together to face the cruelty shown by our own fellow countrymen, who claim to be religious people. Everyone must prove themselves clean and should not just casually brag about their high morality. Let Mr. Djiteng speak up and ensure the safety of his family, just like the generals maintain the safety of the former New Order ruler. Who has pressured Mr. Djiteng and later siphoned off the government's money?

Indonesia's fashion world on the international catwalk By Asniar Sahab JAKARTA (JP): Going international is the dream of many fashion designers around the world, including Indonesians. Building a strong foothold on the intricate and glamorous world fashion stage requires a lot of hard work and persistence. Only distinguished designers with strong and appealing collections can carve their names on the catwalks of Paris, Milan, London and New York.

'Passion makes life worth living' Top Indonesian bodybuilder I Gusti Agung Rai Kusumayudha, or Ade Rai, has a successful career as a bodybuilder, is a graduate of the University of Indonesia's School of Social and Political Sciences and has several fitness center branches in Jakarta and Bali. The 30-year-old Ade became interested in bodybuilding in 1989 while studying in Bandung, but only when he moved to Jakarta did it become more than a hobby.

Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Photo Exhibition: A Letter from the Ocean by Mosista Pambudi at Galeri Foto Jurnalistik Antara, Jl. Antara No. 59 Pasar Baru, Central Jakarta (Phone: 3458771), until Jan. 24. * Painting Estetika Desember 2000, Studio Seni BQ 27, Green Ville BQ 27, West Jakarta, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Dec. 17 to Dec. 24. Further information phone 0811810180. * Painting Flying Horizon by Teguh Ostenrik, Erasmus Huis, Jl. H.R.

Surakarta opts for Asian c'ship SEMARANG (JP): The Surakarta branch of the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) has chosen to host the Asian junior championship next July instead of the Aqua Cup tournament. "We were offered to host both events but because the dates were too close, we opted for the junior championship," branch chairman Budiharjo said. "We'd love to host both events.

Susanto won again in the Philippines JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian junior chess player Susanto Megaranto defeated Filipino Sadora Julio in the Asian Continental Boys Under-16 championships at the National Power Corporation (NPC) training center in Bataan, the Philippines. Playing tactical, Susanto held off Julio's relentless attacks during their five-and-a-half-hour match on Friday. At the 28th move, Julio cornered Susanto's king.

When another Harry met another Sally By Aida Greenbury JAKARTA (JP): Let me tell you how Jenny's boyfriend reacts every time she has a "nice" new male friend. He narrows his eyes, his right hand reaches for his nose and scratches it and his face reddens. I can almost see the adrenaline filling his blood vessels. The alarm bell goes wild. But I can completely understand. What is more important to a man than the smart, attractive, funny and loving woman in his life?

A day with Tirah, the housemaid Tirah, 30, is employed as a housemaid in a Central Jakarta home. A former housewife in her native Lampung, South Sumatra, she arrived in Jakarta eight months ago to earn some money after her husband left for the capital and never returned. She's now the sole provider for her three children. Tirah spoke to The Jakarta Post's contributor William Furney. JAKARTA (JP): "Three of us get up at 3 a.m. to eat. The others are Christian.

Searching for the origins of the 'digital world' JAKARTA (JP): Remember the old days when your Mom or Dad -- or maybe your Grandma or Grandad -- had to crank the telephone repeatedly before the operator in the central office picked up her receiver and asked which number he/she wished to call? That was way before the digital era arrived.

Norbu's 'The Cup' shows the triumph of the spirit By Joko E.H. Anwar The Cup Drama/Comedy, 90 minutes, in Tibetan/Hindi with Bahasa Indonesia subtitles Starring: Orgyen Tobgyal, Jamyang Lodro, Neten Chokling Written & Directed by Khyentse Norbu A Palm Pictures Presentation. JAKARTA (JP): One might want to see The Cup simply out of curiosity, since the film was directed by a Tibetan monk.

Swiss journalist heads home at last JAKARTA (AFP): A Swiss journalist was bound for home Saturday after a 10-day ordeal in a mosquito-infested Indonesian jail where he faced the threat of a five-year jail term for working while on a tourist visa. Oswald Iten, 50, a reporter for the Zurich-based Neue Zuericher Zeitung, was relaxing at the Swiss embassy in Jakarta Saturday afternoon, accompanied by immigration police who would escort him to his flight to Zurich.

Sweet somethings for Idul Fitri JAKARTA (JP): These two cookies can be prepared a week ahead of the post-fasting month celebration of Idul Fitri and are suitable for gifts to relatives and friends after the Day of Forgiveness. They are simple to make and are always the most popular Lebaran cookies. Putri Salju 250 g flour; 25 g milk powder; 50 g grated Edam cheese; 200 g margarine; 100 g icing sugar; half a teaspoon of baking powder and vanilla; 75 g ground toasted peanuts; extra icing sugar 1.

How's your luck today? Ask Nyai Salmah's bird TEGAL, Central Java (JP): It drizzled in the morning and the earth was slightly wet. But this did not stop the people crowding the traditional market. A middle-aged woman stepped from a public transport vehicle and walked purposefully along the rows of shops as if looking for something particular. A happy look came to her face upon seeing a woman with a bird cage walking towards her.

DecideNow.com will make decisions for you By Lim Tri Santosa BANDUNG (JP): Take a look at your life. Whatever knowledge you have accumulated, however successful you are, whatever genetic mental, physical or material benefits you have inherited, your life primarily reflects your decisions. To Make a difficult decision -- know what you want, create some options, evaluate the consequences of the options and select an option likely to produce optimum consequences.

Bangladesh' Independence Day DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP): Thousands cheered a military parade and placed flowers at a war memorial Saturday at an independence anniversary laced with bitterness against Pakistan, hours after a Pakistani diplomat was expelled from the country. Men, women and children placed wreaths of roses and marigolds at the memorial for unknown martyrs near the Bangladeshi capital on the 29th anniversary of the nation's independence from Pakistan.

Ruling the capital is 'difficult but interesting' Many firmly believe that his days in the Medan Merdeka Selatan office are numbered with possibly only a few weeks to go. This turn of events is due to him being named as a suspect in the July 27, 1996 forcible takeover of the PDI headquarters.

Close aides discuss 'private' side of Sutiyoso JAKARTA (JP): Like many top officials, the "private" side of Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso is known to few people, among them his close aides. Two of them recently were willing to discuss the "real" Sutiyoso with The Jakarta Post. Sigit, who has been Sutiyoso's private secretary since his appointment as governor in 1998, said his boss sometimes acted as if he himself was a law enforcer, particularly if he was upset by people breaking the law.

Controversy over ghost stories JAKARTA (JP): Discussing the possible existence of ghosts is always sure to lead to disagreements and arguments. A Dutch expert on historical buildings, Lodewijk Wagenaar, once said he did not believe the stories about old buildings being haunted by ghosts. "It's nonsense.