'Pesta Bintang' attracts gifted children JAKARTA (JP): Nine-year old Panji cheerfully performed Elton John's I Just Can't Wait to be King taken from the soundtrack of the popular film Lion King. Another contender was Anes, whose crystal-like voice mesmerized members of the judging panel at the audition for Pesta Bintang (Star Party) singing contest. Wearing pink tulle teamed with a black velvet party dress, Anes, 7, was confident when singing James F.

Malaysia profits from Formula I JAKARTA (JP): Malaysia earned 500 million ringgits from the Formula I race at the Sepang circuit in October 1999, Minister of Finance Daim Zainuddin said in Kuala Lumpur on Friday. The prestigious race was broadcast by 750 TV stations in 260 countries and attracted 600 million viewers. "About 65,000 guests attended the event in Sepang and they contributed 500 million ringgits in foreign exchange," he was quoted by Antara as saying.

Ad spotlight too harsh for some child performers? By Gedsiri Suhartono JAKARTA (JP): Parents, pumped with pride at seeing their children in advertisements, may not be willing to recognize the potential dangers of exposing them to the spotlight. But educators and children's rights activists warn parents against the temptation to commercialize their children for short- term benefits, which are outweighed by the potential for long- term psychological damage.

Celeb kids in ads, big headache for parents Turning on the television or radio today can be a dangerous undertaking for those of us who cringe at the sight of pint-size performers. In a wave of cuteness led by the ubiquitous Joshua, they have saturated the entertainment and advertising industry. The Jakarta Post's Rita A. Widiadana, Bruce Emond, Gedsiri Suhartono and Endi Aras look at the big business of little stars. Related stories on Pages 5 and 9.

U.S. sees political progress in Indonesia WASHINGTON (Reuters): The United States said on Friday the political situation in Indonesia improved in 1999 but it listed a slew of human rights violations in East Timor which was engulfed in violence after it voted for independence. After President Abdurrahman Wahid took over the government from B.J.

Reebok Treadmill comes to Indonesia Since Joe Weider Fitness equipment became a leader in the fitness movement, since 1993, 6,700 Cardiovascular and Strength Training Fitness machines have been installed countrywide. Now, they bring you the latest edition of their Home Use Cardiovascular Fitness Equipment -- Reebok ACD 2 Treadmill.

Local sculptors send works abroad By Gin Kurniawan and Kristanto W. MOJOKERTO, East Java (JP): They are very modest in appearance. They deal only with slabs of stone every day. Behind this simplicity, though, they have great talent and skill. An apparently worthless chunk of stone will be turned into a statue with artistic and commercial values. To the people of Trowulan, Mojokerto, East Java, sculpting is their daily activity.

Baby Jim Aditya is 'Ibu' Condom By Mehru Jaffer JAKARTA (JP): What makes 38-year-old Baby Jim Aditya really mad about most Indonesian women is their blind faith in myths like genital mutilation makes women better cooks. She was beside herself with rage when she was told that women must be circumcised to enable them to cook a tastier pot of rice.

C. Java gears up for 15th PON SEMARANG (JP): After losing the chance to host the 2004 National Games (PON), Central Java will focus on improving its achievement in this year's National Games in Surabaya, held from June 19 to June 30. Chairman of the National Sports Council (KONI) Central Java chapter Djoko Sudantoko said his province would make every effort to improve its medal tally at the Games.

Edi beats Boon in billiard tournament JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian billiard player Edi Hartono upset 1998 Asian Games silver medalist Tantiong Boon of Singapore 11-10 in the Bali International Billiard Tournament at the Kuta Billiard International in Bali on Saturday. A release from the Indonesian Billiard and Snooker Association also said 1999 national champion Hadi Surya bowed out to Nikran 11-8.

When is advertising no longer child's play? By Bruce Emond JAKARTA (JP): It could be termed the "Joshua Phenomenon". With his impish grin, trademark Rip Van Winkle cap and high cuteness quotient, Joshua Suherman is the reigning prince charming of the country's entertainment world. His signal tune Diobok-obok (All stirred up) was adopted as a reform movement metaphor, telling of the "little fish" tossed around in tumultuous seas.

I'm fit to travel to Brunei: Gus Dur JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid said on Saturday he was fit enough to travel and would go ahead with plans to visit Brunei on Sunday and East Timor on Tuesday. The President was instructed to rest on Thursday after catching a fever, later diagnosed as influenza. But Abdurrahman, described by friends as a workaholic, will depart to Brunei on Sunday morning for a one-day working visit to meet Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.

Guess What? Melly Manuhutu Good looks won't last. Sinetron actress and singer Melly Manuhutu understood this very well and started running a business of her own. And not surprising, she chose a business that matched her expressive and funky style. "I create souvenir watches with funny pictures and catchy colors. There really cool," the 25-year-old celebrity tried to convince The Jakarta Post at the Fashion Cafe.

Once famous Madurese batik comes apart at the seams By Abdur Rozaki and Singgir Karta BANGKALAN, East Java (JP): The island of Madura is famous for its traditional bull races, but few are aware that the Madurese are also fine exponents of the craft of batik. Much of the batik is marked by bright colors of red, green, blue and yellow, and the use of varied motifs. It's difficult to find historical records on Madurese batik making.

Passion leads Seemann to learn about Indonesia By Rita A. Widiadana JAKARTA (JP): It all started in a small and dusty curio shop on a crowded street in Ciputat, South Jakarta, a few years ago. Heinrich Seemann, the German ambassador to Indonesia, and his wife Karen Seemann were startled to find an antique three-foot long theodolite manufactured by German Max Hildelbrand, Freiberg among heaps of old furniture and bad art.

Joshua: A gifted entertainer and very wealthy By Endi Aras JAKARTA (JP): By the age of two, Joshua Suherman hummed a new song everyday, a year later he had his first album. Now, the seven-year-old star is one of Indonesia's most gifted entertainers and...a billionaire. Joshua, affectionately called Jo Jo, seems to be everywhere. He can be seen in television commercials, printed media, talk shows, quiz shows, sinetron (television drama), local comedy programs, even political campaigns.

Saritem: A battleground of morals By Kafil Yamin BANDUNG (JP): A proposal to change a flesh market into a religious boarding school sounds absurd, but the local administration, withering in the heat of a morality crusade, has given it the green light. "If I was allowed to propose a name, I would prefer Darul Inabah," wrote a Bandung resident in the letters section of the local Pikiran Rakyat daily recently.

Master's degree easily obtained in Indonesia YOGYAKARTA (JP): An education observer condemned the "trading of academic degrees" by privately run schools through their instant programs, saying this was a type of white-collar crime. Moh. Mahfud MD of the Islamic University of Indonesia said during a one-day seminar titled Trading Degrees: A Threat to Education at Yogyakarta Muhammadiyah University on Saturday, that arranging instant programs for high-academic degrees was a moral swindle.

Gus Dur abolishes special boards JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid engaged in a bit of housecleaning on Saturday by abolishing special boards and advisers established by former presidents Soeharto and B.J. Habibie. Six decrees were signed by the President effectively sweeping away the formal vestiges of the past regimes. In all Abdurrahman discharged 34 advisers, eight special economic envoys, three councils and three ambassadors-at-large.

Windows 2000: Let's open this window JAKARTA (JP): Now is the time to celebrate new technological advances, new steps in creativity, and the new era of information confusion. Of course I am talking about the release of Windows 2000. Less than two weeks ago, Microsoft once again released a new operating system.

Sharing the same fate If we talk about globalization, it covers all segments of life and it happens in all parts of the world. Let us take for example corruption, collusion and nepotism (KKN). KKN is certainly not the monopoly of Indonesia. Newspapers reported the scandal in Germany in which former chancellor Helmut Kohl was involved in corruption. In China, where the penalty for corruption can be severe, graft is still rampant.

Expo shows diversity of Croatian graphic arts JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian art buffs will have a chance to view contemporary Croatian graphic arts to be shown at the National Museum from Feb.29 through March 9. "This is the first exhibition of Croatian graphic arts in Indonesia," said Marijn Oresnik, Counselor of the embassy of the Republic of Croatia in Jakarta.

All-Indonesian final in doubles event JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia Women's Circuit-2 and Men's Futures-1 will see all-Indonesian finals in the doubles events at the Kemayoran Tennis Center at Central Jakarta on Sunday. Olympics hopeful pair, Yayuk Basuki and Wynne Prakusya, unseeded in the event, outclassed top seeds Keiko Nagatomi and Ryoko Takemura of Japan 7-6, 6-2 in the women's doubles semifinals Saturday.

Men, students in quandary, Acehnese women map future By Debra Yatim BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): While students and a largely-male delegation are still in a quandary on how to map out a future for troubled Aceh, the women have already created a blueprint outline. After more than four days of formal and informal discussion, almost 400 women from the 12 regencies of Aceh, participants of the Aceh Women's Congress Duek Pakat Inong Aceh in Banda Aceh, decided at 2 a.m.

Art Agenda Drawing Exhibition: Wajah Polos Bocah Pinggiran (Innocent Faces of Underprivileged Children) by Rosid at Koong Gallery, Gran Melia Hotel, Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said Kav. X-0, Kuningan Jakarta, from Feb. 24 through March 8, 2000. Children are a source of inspiration to many artists, including Rosid. Through his artworks, Rosid invites viewers to explore the innocent world of children, their naivete, sorrows and happiness.

Indonesian and expat students stage a benefit By Nicole Johnson JAKARTA (JP): Expatriate and local school children are collaborating on an original theater piece titled Bridging the Gap, which will be performed from March 2 to March 4 as a benefit for a housing project dedicated to Indonesian children.

Guess What? Hariyanto Arbi The love story between the 1995 world badminton champion Hariyanto Arbi and his long-time sweetheart Wiwiek Wiral sounds as if it might have come from a movie. Hariyanto, better known as Hari, met Wiwiek in a restaurant in Singapore in 1995 when he was competing in a tournament on the island. In their second encounter in a hotel lobby, Hari dared himself to ask for Wiwiek's phone number. Soon after they became inseparable and got engaged in 1997. On Sunday Feb.