Soeharto undergoes a brain scan JAKARTA (JP): Former president Soeharto underwent a brain scan on Saturday morning to check whether the damage from several strokes has affected his memory and ability to face an ongoing investigation into his alleged corruption during 32 years of rule. Accompanied by his lawyer, Mohammad Assegaf, and eldest daughter Siti Hardijanti Rukmana, Soeharto was taken to the state Harapan Kita Hospital for the one-hour medical check early Saturday.

Mira Lesmana puts children's films first JAKARTA (JP): Dressed in trendy pants and a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up, her cap facing the wrong direction, Mira Lesmana is a funky, energetic 36. She has embraced as a uniform the laid-back attire of the young today, the members of the "MTV Generation" who are forming their own culture of creativity.

Gus Dur, Bahrain's emir discuss economic ties MANAMA (AFP): President Abdurrahman Wahid held talks in Bahrain focused on economic cooperation and investment on Saturday at the start of a Gulf tour, the official news agency GNA reported. He met Bahrain's emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Issa al-Khalifa, and was later due to travel on to Oman for a two-day visit. Their talks covered "ways to further develop relations in the economic, trade and investment fields," GNA said.

PON torches arrive from 26 provinces SURABAYA (JP): Torches for the 15th National Games (PON) arrived here on Saturday from 26 provinces across the nation. The torches are being kept in the Grahadi building on Jl. Gubernur Suryo, and will be taken on Sunday evening to the Sidoarjo regency, where PON will be opened on Monday by Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri. PON's executive chairman, Imam Soepardi, accepted the torches presented by 26 contingents, including East Java.

Salvaging marine treasure a dark job Indonesian waters have been a graveyard for hundreds of ships over the centuries. In recent years, they were also a hunting ground for looters of sunken treasure. The Jakarta Post's Rita A. Widiadana and Emmy Fitri explore the tussle between safeguarding heritage and making handsome profits. JAKARTA (JP): Mention underwater treasure, and visions of quick riches instantly come to mind.

Smooth going in and around Irian Jaya WAMENA, Irian Jaya (JP): Below are tips for travelers to Irian Jaya. Getting there: Garuda flies four times a week from Jakarta to Jayapura, while Merpati provides a daily service. From Jayapura, Merpati serves Wamena daily. Accommodation: Different types of hotels and guest houses are available in Wamena.

Visual modern art market all shaken up By Chandra Johan JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian modern art entered the commercial field more than 10 years ago. Commercial galleries have mushroomed in big cities like Jakarta, Bandung, Yogyakarta and Surabaya, as well as in Bali. Modern art exhibitions have proliferated in art centers office buildings, hotels and the so-called "art houses" that are open for the art community. More people -- from housewives to celebrities -- have become painters.

Modern Indonesia as seen by Watson Of Self and Nation -- Autobiography and the Representation of Modern Indonesia; By C.W. Watson; University of Hawai'i Press, Honolulu, 2000; 257 pp JAKARTA (JP): Autobiographies are a reflection not only of the lives of their authors, but also of the unique circumstances which mold and shape their society. Anthropologist C.W.

On salvage and looting of Indonesia's underwater treasures By Edi Sedyawati JAKARTA (JP): The conducting of archeological exploration in Indonesia is often confronted by other interests. Physical development of land, such as building a new highway, dam or factory, conflicts occasionally with the need to preserve an archaeological site for scientific research. Nevertheless, much has been done in terms of coordination and integrated multisector problem solving in these cases.

Political support, people's role key to fight smoking JAKARTA (JP): More political support and people's participation are needed to control the increase in the number of smokers and smoking-related illnesses in the country, Minister of Health Achmad Sujudi warned on Saturday. Speaking at a ceremony marking the start here of a Southeast Asia antitobacco flame relay, Achmad expressed his concern about the significant increase in smokers in developing countries, including Indonesia.

Moon over Legian Beach By Bre Redana The moon was perched over the ocean at Legian beach as I took Maggie behind the stand of bushes at the back of the Gado-Gado discotheque. "Hold me, darling" she pleaded. I did more than embrace her and she groaned with my touch. She hadn't changed. "Come on," she moaned. "Do you want to or not?" Her half-demanding, half-begging tone was a sign of special intimacy for me to hear. Time seemed to stop turning.

Dressing down at McDonald's It was after midnight at around 1 a.m. on June 3, 2000 at McDonald's restaurant in Sarinah building on Jl. M.H. Thamrin. I was standing by the front entrance chatting with some fellows when I overheard a dispute between McDonald's civilian-dressed security guard and a female customer. The guard was halting her from entering the venue saying that the way she dressed might scare other customers away despite her plea that she was starving and showing him some cash.

What to do about our underwater treasures By Amir Sidharta JAKARTA (JP): Earlier this month, after the Indonesian Navy successfully foiled an attempt to smuggle underwater treasures recovered from Indonesian waters, State Minister of Social Affairs Anak Agung Gde Agung recommended the preparation of regulations on the preservation of cultural heritage.

One day with with 'bajaj' driver Junaedi Born in 1957 in Jakarta, Junaedi earns his living driving a bajaj (three-wheeled motorized vehicle) around the narrow streets surrounding the markets of Central and South Jakarta. He lives in Depok, South of Jakarta, with his wife Eva, four sons and three daughters. "I love the mornings. The sunshine makes me feel healthy. I wake up at 4:00 and do the usual things of washing and saying the morning prayer.

Looting of artifacts in Indonesian seas creates big headache By Rita A. Widiadana JAKARTA (JP): The latest frenzy concerning the discoveries, excavations and lootings of antique Chinese ceramics and old artifacts in Indonesia's waters have worried Indonesian archaeologists and ceramicists. Thousands of priceless ceramic pieces, untouched and hidden in shipwrecks for centuries in Indonesian waters, have been salvaged and looted by fortune hunters over the last few years.

Five arrested over failed theft of Pertamina funds JAKARTA (JP): Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI) security guards apprehended five people on Friday attempting to transfer Rp 125 billion (US$14.7 million) out of the account of state-owned oil and gas company, Pertamina, a police officer said on Saturday. The five, none of whom are employees or former employees of the oil company, were identified as Johannes Pramono, Deny Mahardono, Jodi Juanda, Rafael Hari and Ferry.

'Sherina' a film fit for whole family By Gotot Prakosa JAKARTA (JP): It's been a long time since movie lovers have been able to watch a locally produced work fit for the whole family. The country's film crisis which began in the early 1990s led to the virtual disappearance of quality movies, including children's fare, made by domestic filmmakers. Petualangan Sherina (Sherina's Adventure), starring popular child singer Sherina, may help to reverse the trend.

Top puppeteers in demand -- for a price By Kafil Yamin BANDUNG (JP): Udung Supriatna was forced to sell his car to pay for that special something at his daughter's wedding reception. To the delight of everybody in his neighborhood, he hired popular wayang golek puppeteer Ade Kosasih. "It cost me Rp 10 million. I had to do it because it was the request of my youngest daughter," he said. Ade lowered his fee for his friend Supriatna, a former village head.

Art Agenda Teka-teki, Silang, Pendapat yang Digambarkan (Puzzles, Disputes in Drawings), Koong Gallery, Hotel Gran Melia, Jl. HR Rasuna Said Kav. X-0, South Jakarta, Phone 526 8080, ext. 2905, from June 18 to Aug. 10, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The country's political upheaval is an inspiration to Isa Perkasa. In black-and-white drawings, Isa portrays a political arena full of intrigue, hypocrisy, gloom and sometimes absurdity.

Pick of the Flicks Hollywood KC: Mission Impossible 2 14:15 16:55 19:05 21:15 Perfumed Garden 14:55 17:35 19:45 21:55 Hide and Seek 14:15 16:55 19:05 21:15 Gunshy 14:55 17:35 19:45 21:55 Halloween H20 14:15 16:55 19:05 21:15 Senayan: Petualangan Sherina 13:00 15:15 17:30 19:45 Mission Impossible 2 13:45 16:00 18:15 20:30 Hide and Seek 13:00 15:25 17:50 20:05 Perfumed Garden 13:45 16:00 18:15 20:30 Halloween H20 13:00 15:15 17:30 19:45 Gunshy 13:45 16:00 18:15 20:30 Hadh Kar Di Aapne 13:45 17:05...

Name value counts for some in buying shoes By Bruce Emond JAKARTA (JP): Say you have a few million rupiah to spare, and you want to do something nice for number one. Forget about stashing the moolah away for a rainy day or putting it toward the kids' college education. For some of us, a little self-indulgence does not run to a vacation or slap-up dinner, or even a big box of bon-bons in the evening after a hard day crunching figures.

Akram puts Pakistan in sight of victory COLOMBO (Reuters): Wasim Akram bowled Pakistan into a winning position in the first test against Sri Lanka on Saturday when he claimed five wickets in a test innings for the 25th time. Sri Lanka was all bundled out for 123 in its second innings shortly after lunch, setting Pakistani a modest target of 131. It was 50 for one at tea.

Two thieves beaten to death DENPASAR, Bali (JP): Two alleged long-time crooks were killed by angry residents and three others were shot in their legs during a pre-dawn police action on Jl. Imam Bonjol here on Saturday. The incident broke around 2 a.m. local time when three police detectives, led by First Lt. Hussein Abubakar intercepted a burglary attempt in a garment shop called Windy Collection.

Gosper to lead IOC visit of East Timor LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AFP): Beleaguered International Olympic Committee vice president Kevan Gosper is to head a two-day mission to East Timor from June 17, it was announced on Friday. Gosper, who pulled out of the Oceanic leg of the Olympic torch relay following his controversial decision to let his daughter Sophie run in the flame lighting ceremony in Greece, will assess which Timorese athletes are best prepared to appear at September's Sydney Olympics.

Iwan Fals turns his talents to orchestral music By Endi Aras JAKARTA (JP): Virgiawan Listanto took pleasure in the hardship of starting out in music 25 years ago. As a high school student with strong social concerns, Tanto, as he was nicknamed, wanted most of all to be independent. He chose to be a public transportation conductor and a street singer in pursuing his goal of independence.

Archaeologists, unarmed heritage guardians JAKARTA (JP): Thousands of centuries-old Chinese ceramics have been salvaged from Indonesia's waters, while hundreds of historical sculptures and reliefs are stolen every day from temples and archaeological sites throughout the country. Temples, ancient settlements and old and historical buildings have been bulldozed to make way for various development projects.