Low birthrate feared to bring disaster to Singapore By Rita A. Widiadana SINGAPORE (JP): When Susan Lee turned 38 last October, she and her husband James decided to start a family. Susan has a thriving career as a communications director at a multinational level and James is an event organizer at one of the country's top entertainment firms.

Yogya gays in search of identity By Singgir Kartana YOGYAKARTA (JP): "Yogyakarta is a haven for gays" read a banner put up for several days on the River Progo bridge, which leads to the city of Yogyakarta from Jl. Wates. The provocative banner was put up in conjunction with Gay and Lesbian Solidarity Day in March. Has Yogyakarta become a favored place to live for the gay community. How does the surrounding community react to their presence?

INDONUSA Esa Unggul: British education As companies follow the global e-business paradigm, they are ever more seeking to recruit savvy, intelligent, business-led employees to help spearhead their organizations in this new electronic age of commerce. In order to gain any sort of foothold on the corporate ladder, it is crucial to have the most up-to-date qualifications, and inherent in that is the choice of college or university students opt for.

Guess What: Maj.Gen. Nurfaizi Most city residents instantly learned of the May 13 rioting in the West Jakarta commercial district here via radio and TV news, in the comfort of their own home. Guess where Jakarta Police chief Maj. Gen. Nurfaizi, 53, was when he was notified of the rioting, triggered by a National Police raid on sellers of pirated video compact discs (VCDs) in Chinatown? "I was about to play golf ... friendship golf with security representatives of the Japanese Embassy.

China, Indonesia both confident of Thomas Cup By Primastuti Handayani KUALA LUMPUR (JP): Indonesia and China, the two candidates for the Thomas Cup, both expressed confidence in winning Sunday's final at the Putra Indoor Stadium. Defending champion Indonesia, aiming to win the cup for the 12th time, will be very careful in fielding its shuttlers in the final encounter, after sweating it out to defeat European dynamite Denmark 3-2 in Friday's semifinals.

Guesswhat: Alwi Sihab As dangdut music filled the air in one of the rooms of the grand Shangri-La Hotel in Beijing, Minister of Foreign Affairs Alwi Sihab climbed onto the stage and danced joyfully to the tune. He was joined by other Indonesian and Chinese officials, who cavorted and moved their hands in the specific style of the music to the song Ini Rindu (Missing You). "I have enjoyed dangdut since I was a kid. Anyway, it is halal (allowed), isn't it," Sihab told reporters offstage.

Fishermen worry over haze KUALA LUMPUR (AP): Authorities have so far denied reports of a growing haze, but many Malaysian fishermen refuse to risk their lives and are staying ashore, news reports said Saturday. The fishermen are worried that poor visibility at sea will cause them to ram each other's boats, Tan Seng Bu, chairman of the Parit Jawa Fishermen's Association, was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times daily.

Fresh rallies staged against Soeharto JAKARTA (JP): Ahead of the second anniversary of Soeharto's resignation, which falls on Sunday, a group of some 300 anti- Soeharto protesters attempted on Saturday to break through the cordon of a troop of some 50 riot police to reach the former president's residence on Jl. Cendana, Central Jakarta.

Arts Agenda Drawing Exhibition by Arahmaiani at Galeri Lontar (Komunitas Utan Kayu, Jl Utan Kayu No.68H, East Jakarta, phone: 021-8573388; fax: 021-8573387; E-mail: aldero @cbn.net.id, from May 19 (opening at 7.30 p.m.) through June 9. (Closed on holidays and Mondays.) Arahmaiani's drawings displayed at Galeri Lontar are part of her thorough recording of the notorious May tragedy in l998 which destroyed almost the entire nation's social, political and economical structures.

Nine missing people found alive MAUMERE, East Nusa Tenggara (JP): Nine people previously declared missing after massive flooding in West and Central Malaka districts on Tuesday have been found safe. East Nusa Tenggara Deputy Governor Yohanes Pake Pani said on Saturday the nine people had been found that day in Rebasa village, West Malaka regency. "They were in a big tree attempting to avoid the flooding," Yohanes said.

'Erin Brockovich' -- essentially the triumph of the underdog By Tam Notosusanto JAKARTA (JP): She may not seem like a role model: a twice- divorced woman with three young children, no permanent job and no college degree, a nastier attitude than your neighbor's pet rottweiler and an outrageous taste for clothing that is an eyesore. But Erin Brockovich is a hero in her own right.

KL envoys meet rebel leaders KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Malaysia said on Saturday its diplomats met for the first time with leaders of rebels holding 21 mostly foreign hostages in the southern Philippines, but called their demands "vague". "We have commenced discussions with the blessings of the Philippine government but we want the release of all the hostages, not only Malaysians," Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar told reporters.

'Hello Mister, I love you...' JAKARTA (JP): Taking a stroll through a shopping area is not always pleasurable. On the contrary, for me, as an expatriate woman, it never goes smoothly; there is always the disturbance of some male rudely whistling between his teeth to get my attention, or the frequent call from men saying "Hello Mister", or teenagers running off a number of uneducated comments, or saying, "I love you".

Kostrad commander apologizes to Acehnese JAKARTA (JP): The Army's Strategic Reserves Commander (Kostrad) Lt. Gen. Agus Wirahadikusumah apologized to the Acehnese on Saturday for his troops' involvement in last year's mass killings in the province. But he insisted that senior officers should be held accountable for the killing of Islamic teacher Tengku Bantaqiah and more than 50 of his students.

Gus Dur turns to the 'silent majority' JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid went over the heads of the country's politicians on Saturday and turned directly to the public for support over his proposal to lift a 34-year-old ban against communism in Indonesia. During a 45-minute television talk show broadcast nationwide, the President spelled out his reasons for seeking to end the ban.

Models live between catwalk and reality By Aida Greenbury JAKARTA (JP): "Ladies and gentlemen, this is Mambo No. 5!" The latest preferred fashion music blasts in the chilly air outside the Louvre Dome. Bright spotlights and lasers flash from one model to another; reflected on their glowing, over-moisturized skin. Full of confidence, the lanky models, all blond, sway on the catwalk with measured steps, one foot straight after the other. This is ironic.

Baki's guitars hit the right note Text and photos by Ali Budiman SURAKARTA, Central Java (JP): Guitars have created jobs in the village of Baki. It's not because the people are talented musicians, even though there is a Senin Kemis keroncong music group in the village. They do not play guitars in Baki. Instead, they make them. The guitars produced in Surakarta used to be popular because of their low price and bright colors, even though the quality was very poor.

Artist depicts series of tragedies through his art By Ipong Purnama Sidhi JAKARTA (JP): An artist usually expresses his emotions through his work. The artist Sunaryo reveals his anguish and anger regarding the series of tragedies that have stricken Indonesia in his latest works. Two years ago, he held an exhibition entitled Titik Nadir, the Nadir Point.

Guess What: Arnold Schwarzenegger Arriving in China to promote the Special Olympics, Arnold Schwarzenegger did not shrink from politically explosive trade issues. With China negotiating World Trade Organization membership with the European Union and a contentious Chinese trade vote in the U.S. Congress next week, Chinese reporters asked Schwarzenegger where he stood. He pronounced himself a free-trader.

Shanghai takes its place as a cosmopolitan city China was one of the first countries to recognize Indonesia's independence. The strong bilateral ties were cut in 1967 when Jakarta accused Beijing of backing an abortive communist coup in 1965, a charge China denies. Formal diplomatic ties resumed in 1990. In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of relations, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs invited a delegation of Indonesian journalists to visit China earlier this month.

Malaysia seeks singles coach to boost players KUALA LUMPUR (JP): In order to boost the Malaysian singles players' technical skills in international tournaments in the future, the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) is seeking an excellent coach. BAM president Abdullah Fadzil Che Wan told reporters on Friday after a new conference at the Putra Indoor Stadium that the application was open to either local or foreign coaches.

15 foreign social workers to leave Ambon AMBON, Maluku (JP): Fifteen foreign social workers aiding Ambon communal clash refugees are giving up their duties due to uncertain security in restive city of Ambon, which has seen more interreligious conflicts since Tuesday. The social workers, who have been living in Ambon for at least three months, met Governor Saleh Latuconsina on Saturday to express their desire to leave Ambon for security reasons.

China retains Uber Cup title with leisure By Primastuti Handayani KUALA LUMPUR (JP): The 12,000-seat Putra Indoor Stadium, in which only about 500 Chinese spectators were present, witnessed China's domination in the women's team badminton world championship by claiming the Uber Cup trophy for the seventh time after easily toppling Denmark 3-0 Saturday in only one hour and 38 minutes.

Fishy, fishy, fishy... bring me luck! By Kafil Yamin BANDUNG (JP): The Chongs feel they have everything it takes to be a successful family. They run a corporation, own a luxurious mansion, fancy cars and five koi fish. Chong, 34, was interested in koi because of their variegated colors. He also believes they bring luck to his life. "The whole family believes that," Chong said. Koi, originally from Japan, have a growing number of admirers in Indonesia despite their remarkable cost.

'RCTI' suffers Rp 1 billion deficit due to schedule change KUALA LUMPUR (JP): Indonesia's privately owned RCTI station suffered a Rp 1 billion (US$111,110) deficit due to a change in the semifinals and final schedule of the Thomas and Uber Cup Championships at the Putra Indoor Stadium.