Chinese puppeteer back on stage after 32 years By Ali Budiman SEMARANG, Central Java (JP): The new government's tolerance toward anything authentically Chinese after three decades of stamping it taboo, has not only made a political impact. For some people, it simply means they can return to their long-forbidden art. Thio Tiong Gie, a dalang (puppeteer) of the Chinese hand- puppet show or wayang potehi, is one of them.

Deviana vows to break the ceiling By Mehru Jaffer JAKARTA (JP): When Deviana Daudsjah, 42, saw Abdurrahman Wahid sworn in as the fourth president of Indonesia on television, she decided that it was at last time to come home. So overnight all further engagements in Basel, Switzerland, were canceled and the Jazz musician and composer packed up her belongings of 25 years to return to Jakarta.

Arts Agenda Talk on Architecture, Revitalization of Kampung Batik Laweyan in Surakarta, Central Java by Naniek Widayati, at the Indonesian Art and Culture Development office on Jl. Pakubuwono VI No.6, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, phone and fax (021)-34833586, 7244836, on Monday, April 10, at 10 a.m. Architect Naniek Widayati will share her experience in implementing a kampung revitalization project at a Batik village in Surakarta, Central Java.

Tengger people find happiness in harmony By Mehru Jaffer JAKARTA (JP): In the mind of Siri Sugiartini, 26, Jakarta was synonymous with Taman Mini Indonesia Indah's pretty pavilions and the ocean kissed shores at the recreation park in Ancol, north of the city. That was until she visited the capital city recently when she experienced terrible traffic jams, the pollution and humidity in the air and talk of much crime.

Spotlight Photo H: Car JP/msa CLASS CAR: Daimler Chrysler Indonesia's president Friedel Engisch (left) and the Indonesian Record Museum's director, Jaya Suprana, pose with a certificate presented by the museum to mark the company's spectacular promotion of its Mercedes-Benz A-Class (in background). In the a month-long promotion, which ended in January, the car was pulled slowly, two meters a day, until it was placed 90 meters high on Wisma Nusantara's wall on Jl. Thamrin, Central Jakarta.

Indonesia grabs three berth of Open finals JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian shuttlers secured three final spots in the men's singles, men's doubles and mixed doubles in the US$180,000 Yonex Japan Open in Tokyo. Men's singles Hendrawan, seeded fourth in the tournament, stopped the giant-killing run of Malaysia's Roslin Hashim after winning 15-7, 7-15, 15-8 in Saturday's semifinals. "Roslin seemed to be losing his energy after making huge runs by killing seeded players here.

Power and passion of Balinese music By Degung Santikarma DENPASAR (JP): A life without music would be unthinkable in Bali. Here music is woven into the very fabric of society, playing an essential role in ceremonies to mark the cycle of life, to celebrate the anniversaries of temples and to accompany important days on the traditional calendar. Music reaffirms the value of tradition and expresses Balinese creativity, innovations and aspirations for the future.

Group of 77 plans summit HAVANA (AP): Moammar Qaddafi of Libya and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat are among at least 65 heads of state who will attend the first presidential summit held here next week by the Group of 77 developing nations, organizers announced Friday. The presidents of Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, Vietnam, Cambodia and Indonesia have confirmed their attendance.

Indonesia cruises into Davis Cup Group Two final JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia is close to fulfilling its hope of promotion to Group One of the Davis Cup after beating Malaysia 3- 0 in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday to book a Davis Cup Group Two Asia Oceania zone final berth. Indonesia's established partnership of Bonit Wiryawan and Sulistyo Wibowo improved as the match went on to trounce Malaysian duo Selvam Veerasingam and Mohd.

Surakarta royal wedding still attracts huge crowds By Tarko Sudiarno SURAKARTA, Central Java (JP): A large crowd filled the spacious courtyard of the Surakarta palace. They had been there for hours, braving the drizzle, waiting to watch the royal wedding procession. It was five p.m. and the sound of a bell was heard five times. The people were delighted.

KL blames criminals for ATM card thefts KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia's central bank on Saturday charged that criminal syndicates were behind a rash of automatic teller machine (ATM) thefts with "cloned" cards which has sparked fears of a run on the country's banks. Bank Negara Malaysia chief Ali Abul Hassan Sulaiman said in a statement that its probe of the ATM card incidents revealed criminal syndicates were behind the thefts.

Free press? Not likely in Singapore Self Censorship: Singapore's Shame By James Gomez Think Centre, Singapore, 1999 90 pages S$18.90 SINGAPORE (JP): What does it take to speak one's mind in Singapore, especially on topics deemed "sensitive"? A thick skin helps. That, and a freedom from fear. Evidently, James Gomez possesses both attributes. A police investigation into his activities -- mainly for organizing public talks -- has not daunted him.

On celebrities and sensibilities JAKARTA (JP): A coworker complained that her daughter has decided not to go to college after high school. She wants to join a modeling school instead. "What does she think she'll become?" he asked fretfully.

A fair share of trouble in paradise in 'The Beach' By Oren Murphy JAKARTA (JP): For anyone who has spent more than a couple of nights in ratty boardinghouses somewhere in Asia, Danny Boyle's (Trainspotting) latest film, The Beach, will bring back memories, fond or otherwise. The film comments on many of the ironies inherent in backpacker culture in Southeast Asia, as tourists search for the new and exotic only to create the familiar and comfortable.

Price of premix, super TT gas hiked JAKARTA (JP): The price of unleaded gas was officially hiked on Saturday to Rp 1,500 per liter from Rp 1,300 for premix and Rp 1,600 from Rp 1,400 per liter for super TT. Many motorists and gas station employees were stunned by the increase as there was no announcement in advance by the authorities, including state-owned oil and gas company PT Pertamina.

Tropical winery contends with fungi, religious riots By Slobodan Lekic BALI (AP): The only winery in the world's largest Muslim nation is nearly impossible to find. It stands behind an unmarked gate on a dusty village lane where motorscooters, chickens and water buffalo jostle for space. "For understandable reasons, we try to be very discreet," says Vincent Desplat, chief winemaker at Hatten Wines on the island of Bali, Indonesia's premier tourist destination.

Napoleon in the eyes of Javanese By Singgir Kartana YOGYAKARTA (JP): Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, a key figure in the French Revolution, has inspired Javanese scholars to pen works of literature and history. Serat Napoliyun Bonaparte (Verses on Napoleon Bonaparte) is one of the results of the interest Javanese writers have in Napoleon's life.

Erwin hits right note for Indonesia pop orchestras By Endi Aras JAKARTA (JP): Erwin Gutawa is a successful arranger, conductor who has an orchestra named after him and has been a music director on a number of albums. And he is ready to become more involved through his "pop orchestra". Born in Jakarta on May 16, 1962, Erwin began his career in music when he joined a band. Previously, he won many children's singing contests.

Bus owners say no turning back on massive strike plan JAKARTA (JP): The organization representing private owners of buses and minibuses in the capital vowed on Saturday to proceed with a mass strike on Monday to send home its message for a fare increase.

11 taekwondoins to train in S. Korea SEMARANG (JP): Eleven taekwondoins from Central Java, along with four officials and coaches, will go on an overseas stint to South Korea for several weeks next month in preparation for the 15th National Games (PON) in Surabaya.

Government denies Cabinet reshuffle JAKARTA (JP): The present Cabinet remains intact and there is no immediate plan for a shake-up, acting State Secretary Bondan Gunawan said on Saturday. Bondan said after a meeting with President Abdurrahman Wahid that the Cabinet's teamwork was solid enough to function well as the President's assistants. "The President feels that the ministers are helpful. He just wants them to be more serious," Bondan said.

RI driver Ananda to race in F3000 opener JAKARTA (JP): Young driver Ananda Mikola qualified for the first leg of the FIA's F3000 series at the Imola circuit in Italy, beginning on Saturday evening (Jakarta time), Ananda's manager Piers Hunnisett said. Hunnisett said Ananda clocked his fastest time of one minute 39.303 seconds in two qualifying sessions. Ananda was 1.265 seconds behind Bruno Janqueira, who is in pole position, in 1:38.038.

Expat workers take crisis in their stride Some dollar-salaried expatriates in Indonesia cleaned up when the rupiah hit rock bottom. For others, the party was over, with many firms laying off foreign workers. Despite the changing fortunes, there are expatriates, particularly Asians, who have been willing to take a pay cut in order to remain in Indonesia. The Jakarta Post's contributor Rudy Madanir profiles some of the hardy few.