Now is not the time for laissez faire JAKARTA (JP): Nobody could accuse me of apple polishing when I said I loved Gus Dur's favorite expression, Gitu aja koq repot (Why worry?). Although it showed a laissez-faire attitude, this expression denoted confidence. By saying this, Gus Dur was sure that problems did not bother him, and that he could handle any disturbances. And I believed this kind of optimism was what the leader of this nation should possess in facing difficulties.

Fire razes printing factory JAKARTA (JP): Fire razed a printing factory on Jl. Tanah Abang IV in Central Jakarta on Saturday afternoon, causing at least Rp 1 billion in losses. No factory employees were reported injured and PT. UPATI was closed for the weekend. Three firefighters were injured when a roof fell on them as they cleaned up debris. Local residents said the fire started at about 4:30 p.m. after an explosion was heard. "It was probably caused by a short circuit," a resident said.

And Bulan dances.. By Anton Kurnia I have heard several different accounts of my father and mother. One of them was told to me by my grandmother. It goes like this: My father and my uncle were identical twins. Their parents gave them exotic Javanese names -- Sugriwa for my father and Subali for my uncle. They resembled each other physically, temperamentally, and even their voices were alike. So it was no easy matter to tell them apart. Moreover, there existed between them a peculiar bond.

Australia out to mend fences with Indonesia SYDNEY (Agencies): Australian Prime Minister John Howard said on Saturday he wanted to mend the country's relations with Indonesia and expressed interest in President Abdurrahman Wahid's proposal to hold a summit with East Timor leader Jose Alexandre "Xanana" Gusmao. "I am interested to read President Abdurrahman's suggestion," Howard told ABC radio from France. "I will explore it. I don't reject it.

Villagers share art of kris sheath making By R. Agus Bakti YOGYAKARTA (JP): The kris -- the traditional Malay and Indonesian dagger -- is no longer in use. Some regard it is as a heirloom, while for others it is only a decoration or a souvenir. A kris is not complete without a sheath. And here in Banyusumurup village, located south of the Imogiri Royal Cemetery in the Bantul regency, there is a handicraft center for warangka or kris sheaths made from wood.

Ketut Budiana's fantastic art on display By Jean Couteau UBUD, Bali (JP): The world of Balinese painting has in the last few years been overtaken by modernist concerns. Galleries, journalists and collectors alike - mostly non-indigenous and with their own vested interests - support an art which retains very few references to the indigenous tradition of Bali. Bali seems embroiled in a discourse where the problem of "form" has become paramount, relegating everything else to the background.

Chinese publications face rivalry By I. Christianto JAKARTA (JP): Only a small percentage of people in Indonesia can speak Chinese, let alone read the characters. But new local magazines and newspapers in Chinese are now available in the capital. The publications are openly sold by most street vendors in hectic Chinatown in the Glodok area in West Jakarta -- a situation not seen until recently after the government lifted the over-three-decade ban on Chinese religion and culture in the country.

Doors open for Chinese-Indonesians Chinese-Indonesians can breathe a little easier in showing their cultural identity after the lifting of a ban imposed by the New Order administration in 1967. Harder to eradicate, however, are entrenched social stereotypes and discrimination. The Jakarta Post contributor I. Christianto discusses the status of Chinese- Indonesians today. JAKARTA (JP): Ping Ping occasionally hummed along to the Mandarin song playing on the radio.

Ruben draws with Polgar, Utut falls to to Khalifman by Ivy Susanti SANUR, Bali (JP): Indonesian Grand Master (GM) Ruben Gunawan forced women's top player GM Judit Polgar of Hungary to draw in the 46th move of the seventh round of the JAPFA Classic International Tournament 2000 here on Saturday. Unfortunately, countryman GM Utut Adianto failed to overcome GM Alexander Khalifman of Russia and bowed out in the 38th move in the 16th category tournament held at Grand Bali Beach Hotel.

Surabaya gears up to host 15th PON By Mohammad Zurqoni SURABAYA (JP): Visitors in Surabaya, the capital of East Java, will be surprised by the many banners and billboards displaying "Ponti" the peacock throughout the city. Surabaya will host the 15th National Games (PON) for the second time since 1969. The quadrennial event will take place from June 19 to June 30 in seven cities -- Surabaya, Gresik, Sidoarjo, Malang, Kediri, Situbondo and Jember.

Message from the Ambassador The Netherlands and Indonesia have a very special and long relationship. It is with great satisfaction that I can remark that the winds of change that have been blowing in Indonesia since the last year or so, have provided fresh air and oxygen to the old ties and friendship that have united our countries and peoples for more than 400 years. At present, one can conclude that the relations between Indonesia and the Netherlands are as good as they have ever been.

To be extraordinary is the norm for Mely G. Tan By I. Christianto JAKARTA (JP): Being extraordinary is the norm for sociologist Mely Giok Lan Tan, most especially when she is the only Indonesian contributor in books and articles featuring other prominent writers from around the world. Many times she is the only speaker from Indonesia, or even Asia for that matter, in international seminars. The book, Gender and the Academic Experience: Berkeley Women Sociologists (edited by Kathryn P.

C. Java misses Olympics shuttlers SEMARANG (JP): The Badminton Association of Indonesia Central Java chairman Soenjoto said three national shuttlers -- men's doubles Eng Hian, women's doubles Etty Tantri and mixed doubles Zelin Resiana -- were banned from competing in the 15th National Games (PON) in Surabaya in June due to their intensive preparation for the Olympic Games in Sydney in September.

PSM aims to expose illegal drugs mafia MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi (JP): The patron of PSM Makassar, Nurdin Halid, said on Friday the soccer club would expose the "drug mafia" which was supplying drugs to players in the Bank Mandiri national league. "We aim to uncover the mafia starting with PSM," said Nurdin, who is also the Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) official in charge of athlete development.

Harley Davidson, all revved up and ready to go By Agni Amorita JAKARTA (JP): When Agustinus "Nugie" Nugraha gained public recognition as a professional singer about three years ago, he made his teenage dreams a reality. One of them was to buy a Harley Davidson motorcycle. Nugie lovingly cared for his beloved bike; he even showed it off by riding it in the music video for one of his smash hits, Pembuat Teh (Tea Makers). Nugie also rode it across Java to Bali in October 1999.

TNT offers value-adding solutions JAKARTA (JP): TNT, the European market leader for express and logistics is at the fore of the industry in Indonesia following the prolonged economic crisis which hit the country. It has accomplished this thanks to its business philosophy, which is to provide customers with innovative cutting-edge and easy to use services and systems which represent the best value for the money. TNT is confident the market in Indonesia is recovering.

Man jailed over women smuggling LOS ANGELES (AP): A man was sentenced to 27 months in prison for arranging to smuggle two Indonesian women into the United States and holding them as indentured servants. Robert Lie, 55, was sentenced on Thursday. He also must pay nearly US$100,000 to the women, who were forced to work for him 12 hours a day, seven days a week for 2 1/2 years, prosecutors said Friday.

E. Timor gets foreign help SINGAPORE (AP): Japanese Foreign Minister Yohei Kono and Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong on Saturday agreed to launch a program to help East Timor develop its human resources, officials said. The program would likely involve Japanese funding to train East Timorese personnel - police, for example - in Singapore, Japanese Foreign Ministry spokesman Chikahito Harada said. "In East Timor, they don't have an established police system yet.

Spreading the literary word across Java By Sori Siregar JAKARTA (JP): As we all know, literature has been poorly taught in our schools for decades. The lack of knowledgeable teachers is said to be one of main reasons for this. What also doesn't help matters any is that the time given to teaching literature is inadequate since it is considered to be only one small aspect of language teaching.

Arts Agenda Cultural Talk on Pekalongan Batik Innovation on Natural Dye by Batik artist Dudung Ali Syachbana from Gedungwuni Pekalongan, Central Java, at the Indonesian Arts and Culture Development 's Office on Jl. Pakubuwono VI no.6, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, phone 7244836, fax: 3483358, on Monday, May 1, at 10 a.m. A monthly lecture, organized by the Indonesian Arts and Culture Development, will present innovations in natural dye processes.

Tanya: Behind the natural beauty of Banda By Mehru Jaffer JAKARTA (JP): Once upon a time England swapped with the Dutch its claim to Banda in return for Manhattan, the island at the heart of New York City and todays magnet for all the world's money. According to A Short History of British Expansion by James A. Williamson, England gave up the claim to Pulau Run (Banda) in 1667.

S. Korean minister to visit RI SEOUL, South Korea (AP): South Korean State Minister for Trade Han Duk-soo will visit Indonesia and India in early May to promote trade and economic cooperation, his office said Saturday. During a four-day visit to Indonesia starting on Wednesday, Han will pay a courtesy call on President Abdurrahman Wahid and meet with transportation and other ministers to discuss Indonesia's national car project. South Korea's Kia Motor Co.

President supports Riau demand over CPP oil block JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid backed on Saturday the provincial administration of Riau's demand to take over the management of the Coastal Plains Pekanbaru (CPP) oil block, despite opposition from state oil company Pertamina. Speaking during a meeting with Riau's social and political leaders during his visit to the country's largest oil-producing province, the President said locals had the right to manage their oil resources.

Guess What? Bill Saragih What's in a name? It's money. Oops, not really. But for veteran jazz musician Bill Amirsyah Saragih, a name has a lot to do with business. That is why he changed his name to Bill Simatupang. "Simatupang is Siang malam tunggu panggilan (Waiting for order day and night)," Bill joked during the cocktail party held in conjunction with the 17th anniversary of The Jakarta Post at The Regent hotel in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Dutch-Indonesian economic relations Trade relations between the Netherlands and Indonesia have blossomed over the past years. Bilateral trade volume has grown yearly, with Indonesia realizing a considerable surplus. Indonesian exports to the Netherlands amounted to US$1.8 billion in 1997, with Dutch exports reaching approximately $565 million. As a result of the financial and economic crisis, Dutch exports to Indonesia dropped sharply, and Indonesian exports also suffered.

East Timor's wounded psyche told Guns and ballot boxes; East Timor's vote for independence; Edited by Damien Kingsbury; Monash Asia Institute 2000; Paperback 201 pages. MELBOURNE (JP): For an Indonesian, even one who is conscious of the nation's faults and shortcomings, Damien Kingsbury's Guns and ballot boxes is not an easy book to read. It is emotionally wearing, to say the least.

Indonesia's prospects dim in Asian Cup c'ship JAKARTA (AFP): Indonesia's prospects of advancing beyond the first round of the Asian Cup are slim, a former national soccer coach told AFP Saturday. "Indonesia is now in the 'hell' group, and it would be very difficult for Indonesia to score a victory in this group," Parlin Siagian, assistant coach for the 1996 cup said. In the draw in Beirut on Thursday, Indonesia was placed in Group B against Kuwait, China and South Korea.

Death toll of a trading company I foresee that the future of trading companies will end with the advent of Internet commerce. I worked in a Japanese trading company for 22 years. We sold all sorts of Japanese goods to Indonesia -- printing machines, stationery, cigarette paper and so on. Our head office in Tokyo handled the sale of plywood and other wooden materials -- such as particle board -- on behalf of their clients in Indonesia. In other words, it was two-way trading.

East Javanese miniature ships operate on high seas By Gin Kurniawan MOJOKERTO, East Java (JP): Various types of ships have been created by his old hands. Not just sailing ships but also historical traditional ships which may have been forgotten. He is Haj Djuhhari Witjaksono, 70, a well-known East Java craftsman specializing in the making of miniature ships. The man, who lives in Kedung Kwali village, Mojokerto, refers to his handicraft as "marine art".

Norman puts sparkle into Jakarta fashion By Agni Amorita JAKARTA (JP): Fashion accessories have a long history in Indonesia. The country's rich fashion culture is reflected in the glittering appearance of an Indonesian woman, fitted out from head to toe, at special occasions. The traditional way of dressing up in one's finery continues today.