Irvine not shocked by bombings JAKARTA (JP): Irish Formula 1 driver Eddie Irvine of the Jaguar team, who has been in Bali since Dec. 24, said he was not shocked by the bomb explosions in several cities in Indonesia. Irvine was not shocked. He said in his country, there were also bomb explosions in public places, said former national racer Tinton Soeprapto on Monday. Irvine was on holiday in Bali with his parents. "He comes to Bali to have his year-end vacation.

Residents flock to recreational sites JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta residents packed the city's popular recreational sites during the post-Ramadhan Idul Fitri holiday here on Wednesday and Thursday. The Ragunan Zoo in South Jakarta, the Indonesia in Miniature Park (TMII) in East Jakarta and the Ancol Dreamland Recreational Park in North Jakarta, all recorded their largest visitor attendances this year.

A question mark hangs over Indonesia's long-term future Dr. Damien Kingsbury, executive officer of Monash Asia Institute, author and editor of six books on aspects of South- East Asian politics, is a TNI (Indonesian Armed Forces) observer. His latest book is Guns and Ballot Boxes: East Timor's vote for independence, published last year by Monash Asia Institute, and a forthcoming book, Southeast Asian Politics, will be published by Oxford University Press.

Intervention vital for overdue wages PANDEGLANG, Banten (JP): Construction workers for a market project in Pagelaran subdistrict here protested at the regent's office on Tuesday, demanding the administration help to ensure that their employer pay their wages and holiday bonuses. In a meeting with deputy regent Mudjio, the workers complained that the company had not paid their wages and bonuses, totaling Rp 54 million (US$5,684).

Intelligence system being restructured, Mahfud says YOGYAKARTA (JP): The government is revamping the national intelligence system as recent terrorist attacks have proven the weaknesses of the old institution, Defense Minister M. Mahfud MD. revealed on Thursday. "I, along with Coordinating Minister for Political, Security and Social Welfare Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Bakin chief Arie J.

Living in terror The bomb attacks in and outside churches in Indonesia on Christmas Eve must go down as the most heinous mass crime ever committed in this country. This was clearly a concerted and carefully planned campaign designed to kill as well as to instill terror among the population of this country. The timing and the targets were chosen to create the impression of a religiously motivated campaign.

Women bear heaviest burden Indonesia commemorated Women's Day on Dec. 22. The plight of women during the crisis of the past few years was among the highlights of a recent conference in Leiden on Indonesian women. Linawati Sidarto, a Leiden-based journalist, shares insights from the four-day talks.

Less upbeat for 2001 Booming exports and high, stable oil prices, combined with improving consumer confidence following the first democratic election of Indonesian President in over four decades in October, 1999, have boosted the economy with a growth rate of at least 4 percent this year, compared to zero growth in 1999 and a contraction of over 14 percent in 1998.

BPEN to reopen trade promotion centers JAKARTA (JP): The National Agency for Export Development (BPEN) has plans to reopen three overseas trade promotion centers next year to bolster non-oil and gas exports, according to an agency official. Gusmardi Bustami, the head of the BPEN said during a press conference on Tuesday that the three centers were among the 13 trade centers closed in July 1998 as part of belt-tightening measures to cope with the economic crisis.

President denies rumors of Cabinet shake-up JAKARTA (JP): Palace officials on Thursday denied speculation that President Abdurrahman Wahid will reshuffle his cabinet in the New Year as a result of the Sunday Christmas eve bombings. "There's no suspicion at all of any involvement by government members. There will be no reshuffle linked to this incident," presidential spokesman Wimar Witoelar told a news briefing.

Boat intercepted off Australia CANBERRA (AP): Authorities intercepted a boat carrying around 50 suspected illegal immigrants from Indonesia in waters off Australia's northwest coast, the government said on Thursday. The Indonesian fishing boat was spotted late on Tuesday by Australian Customs officers aboard the patrol boat Wauri near Ashmore Reefs, 900 kilometers west of the northern city of Darwin, justice minister Amanda Vanstone said.

Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Painting Flying Horizon by Teguh Ostenrik, Erasmus Huis, Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said, Kav S-3, Kuningan, South Jakarta (Phone: 5241069), until Jan. 13. * Photo Exhibition: Yang Terlupakan by students of SMU Tarakanita I, Galeri Foto Cahya, Wisma Surya Kemang Jl. Kemang Raya no. 33, South Jakarta (Phone: 7193731), Jan. 2 to Jan. 8. Performances * Traditional Javanese Play - Wayang Orang Bharata at Gedung Kesenian Jakarta, Jl. Gedung Kesenian No.

IMI gives food commodities JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Motorsports Association (IMI) handed over food stuff worth Rp 100 million (US$10,530) to police officers and train officials on duty during the eve of Idul Fitri. "The food is jointly provided by IMI and its Jakarta chapter," said IMI chairman, Bob RE Nasution on Wednesday as quoted by Antara news agency.

Idul Fitri celebrations pass smoothly JAKARTA (JP): Idul Fitri celebrations passed smoothly nationwide with authorities beefing up security during the two- day celebration amid fear of bombings in the wake of the bomb attacks on several churches on Christmas eve. Tight security cordons were seen in every mosque hosting the Idul Fitri prayer, with authorities initiating a search and scanning of bags and possessions of the masses who joined the prayers.

2001, a year to define, consolidate By Tishy Bruce JAKARTA (JP): The months of November and December, 2000 and January, 2001 are months when the energy says: "Go Within". The end of a year is a time to consolidate. The number 12 denotes a conclusion of sorts: it is the number before 13 which has always related to a void -- a space in time before the next dimension or level. These months also contain the number 1. The number 1 relates to creativity and confidence. It also denotes individuality.

Thieves ruffle expensive feathers YOGYAKARTA (JP): Burglars robbed a house on Jl. Prawirotaman here on Thursday stealing, among other things, a cucakrawa bird (pycnonotus zeylanicus) believed to be worth Rp 20 million (US$2,105.3). The owner, Mawardi, was visiting his neighbors when the crime took place, Antara reported. "I only left for less than half an hour," he said, adding that the house was empty because his maids had all left for their home towns for the holidays.

JNOC to join oil talks TOKYO (Nikkei): Japan National Oil Corp. plans to join Japanese firms Indonesian Petroleum Ltd. and Japan Petroleum Exploration Co. in negotiations over developing oil fields in southern Iran, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported in its Saturday morning edition. The quasi-governmental body usually provides financial assistance at the drilling stage, but this time decided to participate at the negotiating stage because of the massive potential of these oil fields.

Bombings draw reactions LONDON (Agencies): The reverberations of Sunday's bomb onslaught in Indonesia are drawing critical reactions from abroad with Britain saying that it shared President Abdurrahman Wahid's indignation over the assault. "I would like you to know that we share your sense of outrage at the Christmas Eve bombings in Indonesia," British junior Foreign Minister John Battle said on Tuesday.

Idul Fitri spent in quiet solitude by inmates JAKARTA (JP): Idul Fitri was spent in solitude by inmates in Greater Jakarta area on Wednesday. Businessman Ricardo Gelael, a convict in a 1995 land swap deal who along with former president Soeharto's son Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra, has been sentenced to 18 months in jail, expressed his sadness of having to spend the holidays in jail.

What kind of leaders are we looking for? By Mochtar Buchori JAKARTA (JP): When in late 1964, Indonesia's first president Sukarno's political power began to show signs of decline, many wondered whether there was another leader in sight. We were looking for a "replica" of Bung Karno, as he was affectionately called by his people, to take over his role as a guide in the nation's search toward a dignified place in the family of nations. Of course, there was no such person.

No sign of jump yet in number of return passengers JAKARTA (JP): There was still no significant increase in people returning from their hometowns after the Christmas and Idul Fitri holidays, with local officials saying they do not expect it to increase until Sunday. However, traffic was heavy at the ferry port of Ketapang, Banyuwangi in East Java on Thursday as cars queued to board the ferry to Gilimanuk, Bali.

Indonesia ready to tackle economic problems: Abdurrahman PARIS (Dow Jones): Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid will give priority to economic matters next year, he told French daily Les Echos in an interview Thursday. "The hardest is behind us," he said about political conditions in the country, "I can assure you that next year, we can devote all our time to the economy." Abdurrahman said he isn't surprised that foreign investors have deserted the country.

Court critics be patient: Mahathir KUALA LUMPUR (AP): Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said Malaysia's newly appointed chief judge must be given a fair chance to clean up the country's tarnished judiciary, the national news agency reported on Thursday. "People must give some leeway," he said, asking critics to watch and wait as Chief Justice Mohamed Dzaiddin Abdullah, who took office on Dec. 20, begins his term. "There may be charges (against the judiciary) but they (judges) are not angels.

Criminal justice system a farce in year 2000 By Yogita Tahil Ramani JAKARTA (JP): There is relief that the blindfolded lady of justice with a scale in hand, is a statue. "It's good that she's a statue. Had she been alive, she would have opted for death than living here," Agus, who does the paperwork on verdicts issued by the Central Jakarta District Court for criminal and civil cases, laughingly told The Jakarta Post late last week.

Won, yen fall as other Asian monies mixed SINGAPORE (Agencies): Support from state-run banks helped the South Korean won snap its string of six straight losing sessions on Thursday, while other Asian currencies were mixed in lackluster year-end activity. The Singapore dollar, Thai baht and Indonesian rupiah weakened, and the New Taiwan dollar and Philippine peso strengthened.

KL cuts growth forecast KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Malaysia on Tuesday slashed its economic growth forecast to 5.8 percent in 2001 from an earlier 7.0 percent in anticipation of a softlanding in the United States economy. Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad told the Bernama news agency in an interview that Malaysian exports will be affected by a slowdown in the U.S. economy, which was its major trading partner.

Force mining firms to solve disputes through talks: NGO JAKARTA (JP): The government should issue a ruling that would force mining companies to resolve their conflicts with locals through negotiations and hence minimize risks of human rights abuses, a mining non-governmental organization said.

Government undeterred by attacks JAKARTA (JP): The death toll in the wave of Christmas eve bomb attacks rose to 16 on Thursday as the government said it was unruffled by the terrorist attacks. "We are ready to face terrorist attacks... we should not be intimidated by anything because they are aimed at destabilizing the government," President Abdurrahman Wahid was quoted by his spokesman Wimar Witoelar.

Beijing opens door to direct links with Taipei BEIJING (Agencies): Beijing opened the door to historic direct links with Taiwan on Thursday by grudgingly accepting Taipei's plan for limited exchanges between its offshore islands and the mainland. Taipei welcomed the news, which represents a rare sign of progress in ties across the Taiwan Strait that have been mired in acrimony and suspicion since the election this year of Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian.