ASEM upbeat about weathering U.S. storm KOBE, Japan (AFP): Finance ministers from Asia and Europe on Saturday shrugged off the potential damage posed by the wheels coming off the U.S. economic juggernaut, saying both regions should weather the slowdown. But on the first day of weekend talks in the western city of Kobe, participants at the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) of 25 nations also expressed caution about prospects for rapid growth in the two regions.

Officer mobbed to death JAKARTA (JP): Angry residents of Rengas village in Ciputat, South Jakarta, mobbed a city military officer to death, after they caught him trying to run off with stolen goods from a high school building in the area early on Saturday morning. City police spokesman High Comr. Anton Bahrul Alam identified the officer as Chief Corporal M. Fathur, 42, who was caught stealing by a witness, identified as Deni, from the SMUN II Pondok Ranji high school in Ciputat.

Indonesian donor should've obeyed the law: Clinton WASHINGTON (Reuters): Indonesian businessman James Riady, who has agreed to plead guilty to conspiring to make illegal contributions to campaigns of President Bill Clinton and other U.S. politicians, should have obeyed the law, Clinton said on Friday. A day after the announcement that Riady has decided to admit his guilt over federal election law violations, Clinton said, "I am not at all concerned about it.

New interior designs create different ambience in your home Text by Rita A. Widiadana JAKARTA (JP): Entering the year 2001, a lot of people may need more energy and fresh ideas to face this challenging year. Yet, only a few of them realize that their home and working environment could become their major sources of inspiration, said a noted interior designer.

Where to go in Jakarta Exhibitions * Photo: A Letter from the Ocean by Mosista Pambudi at Galeri Foto Jurnalistik Antara, Jl. Antara No. 59 Pasar Baru, Central Jakarta (Phone: 3458771), until Jan. 24. * Photo: Solidaritas, Bentara Budaya Jakarta, Jl. Palmerah Selatan No. 17, Central Jakarta (Phone: 5483008 ext. 7910/7911), Jan. 15 to Jan. 24. * Painting Sepuluh Tahun Seniwati Galeri, by Balinese female painters, Galeri Cipta II, Taman Ismail Marzuki, Jl.

The dangers of flying over Irian By I. Christianto and Pandaya JAKARTA (JP): Imagine this. You are one of nine people flying a light plane over the virgin jungle of mountainous Irian Jaya. It is your maiden voyage by plane over the territory notorious amongst many high flyers for its rough mountainous terrain, unpredictable weather patterns and untouched wilderness.

Taufik meets the President JAKARTA (JP): The 15-year-old Bekasi schoolboy who made headlines for finding three live grenades on a railway track was received by President Abdurrahman Wahid at Merdeka Palace on Saturday and awarded Rp 10 million. Taufik, a villager from Karangsari, Kedung Waringin district, was accompanied by his parents to the meeting with the President, which was arranged by Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications Agum Gumelar.

More eruptions possible in Kupang KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara (JP): A Bandung-based volcanologist warned residents living along the slopes of Mt. Ine Like on Saturday that more eruptions were likely. Ngada Regent Albertus Botha said a letter from the Directorate of Volcanology, signed by volcanologist Wirakusuma, warned the residents to leave the area around the mountain as soon as possible, and not to return until the area was declared safe.

Feng shui, is it a curse or a blessing? JAKARTA (JP): If a lifetime's saving is put into buying a home then it better be the best. And to make sure that it really is the best buy, more and more people consult a feng shui master today. Feng shui is the art of geomancy, that literally means winds and waters and is widely practiced in many parts of the East.

A thankfully short walk on the wild side JAKARTA (JP): Two hours can seem a lifetime in some places. I am not just talking about being bored to tears in a seminar as a speaker drones on and on about the use and misuse of the serial semicolon. Or biding your time in one of the city's ever- present traffic jams. It can be when you are suddenly thrown out of your element, the forlorn fish flapping and floundering to get back into the swim of things.

Putting their life on the line for gold By Ali Budiman SANGON HAMLET, Yogyakarta (JP): Ever since gold was discovered here in 1995, the village has been bustling with mining activities. For 24 hours a day, the buzzing sound of electrical dynamos never ceases in the hamlet at the foot of the Menoreh mountain range, some 49 km to the west of Yogyakarta. "That's the sound of the dynamo working during the gold extraction process," said Anwar Ashari, 40, a miner at the unlicensed gold mining site.

Still Playing JAKARTA (JP): The good, the bad and the ugly at local movie theaters, according to The Jakarta Post contributor Joko E.H. Anwar. Asterix and Obelix Versus Caesar. (Comedy/Fantasy, 100 minutes). Starring Christian Clavier, Gerard Depardieu, Roberto Benigni. Directed by Claude Zidi. Battling Asterix and Obelix must fight Caesar to defend their land. ** Bless the Child. (Thriller, 107 minutes). Starring Kim Basinger, Jimmy Smits, Angela Bettis, Rufus Sewell, Christina Ricci.

See the world with Fidelio, a leader in property management By Vishnu K. Mahmud JAKARTA (JP): Four years ago, Feri Kurniawan was bored. He had been in the hotel industry for seven years, working his way up from Bell Boy to Front Office Manager after graduating from a hotel school. "At the end of the day, I felt that I did not learn that much anymore, so I become bored with the entire routine," he recalled.

BNI faces Petrogres for volleyball league title JAKARTA (JP): Underdog Popsivo women's team of Jakarta destroyed East Java club Petrogres' dream to take the 2000 Indonesian volleyball league title on the second day of the league's final four on Saturday.

World of Javanese novels in the '50s Priyayi Abangan -- Dunia Novel Jawa Tahun 1950-an (The World of Javanese Novels in the 1950s) By Sapardi Djoko Damono Yayasan Bentang Budaya, Yogyakarta, 2000 xi + 434 pp JAKARTA (JP): Originally a dissertation for a postgraduate degree in literature under the title of Javanese Novels in the 1950s - a Study of Function, Content and Structure which noted poet and literary translator Sapardi Djoko Damono successfully defended at the Jakarta-based University of...

'I hate arrogance and stingy people' Few celebrities, especially in the fickle Indonesian entertainment world, can rightfully be called a legend in their own time.Rhoma Irama, the king of Indonesia's own folk rock, dangdut, in the 1970s and 1980s, is one of the exceptions. Now 54, the former legislator today devotes most of his time to activities as an Islamic preacher. The father of "at least three", Rhoma opened up in a recent interview with The Jakarta Post's Bruce Emond.

Gade Christensen, Martin score wins JAKARTA (JP): Men's and women's singles defending champions Peter Gade Christensen and Camilla Martin are one step closer to retaining their titles in the opening tournament of the International Badminton Federation (IBF) Grand Prix Series at the US$250,000 Samsung Korea Open in Hanra Gymnasium on Cheju Island, South Korea.

Megawati scolds wayward PDI-P legislators JAKARTA (JP): Vice President and chairperson of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) Megawati Soekarnoputri scolded unscrupulous party legislators on Saturday for having tarnished the image of the party and of the parliament. Speaking before more than 4,000 party legislators at the Senayan Sports Stadium, Megawati cited that in the past, numerous party cadres had breached party rules and were involved in internal bickering.

Giving outsiders confidence to invest JAKARTA (JP): Prema says that buying property in Singapore is simple. The brokers are reliable and deals do not involve "black money". It is true that the laws are very strict but they are also very clear, making the process of buying and selling property very easy. All transactions are transparent, involving a lawyer and that reduces worries over the legal status of a deal.

A day in the life of an oral surgeon Dr. Nunung Pattiasina, 53, has spent many years caring for the teeth of the capital, a career, she says, that has provided great interest, and a good living, for her. Married to fellow dentist Pieter Ismail, they live in Ciputat, South Jakarta with three of their four children. She shared her story in conversation with The Jakarta Post's contributor William Furney. JAKARTA (JP): "Like millions of other Indonesians, I get up each morning at 5 a.m.

Painter Popo's legacy safely preserved By Matdon BANDUNG (JP): Popo Iskandar is regarded one of Indonesia's artists who carved his name in golden ink in local fine arts history. Popo, who passed away on Jan. 29, 2000, is survived by his wife and eleven children. He had a very long list of activities during his lifetime and great influence on his contemporaries.

Scent 2001 reflects freedom and individuality JAKARTA (JP): Freedom is the ability to be who you want to be. Freedom is choice. Freedom is the confidence to be different. Freedom, by its definition, is being something different from everyone else. The individualist is back on stage again. People are looking for ways to set themselves apart from others. The cosmetic industry conveys this message in various products, from skin and hair care products to new perfume creations.

What to do to keep your four-legged friend happy By Maria Endah Hulupi JAKARTA (JP): Do you know that your dogs, just like humans, have emotions? Dogs express their feelings with their tails and faces. For example they will wiggle their tails when they see you arrive at the front door or hide their tails between their legs when they feel intimidated. Through their faces, they express their loneliness, sadness, anger and boredom. What should the dog owners do to make their pets happy?

TV today TVRI 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News 8:00 Children's Program 9:00 Children's Film 9:30 Sports 11:00 Talk Show 12:00 p.m. Comedy 1:30 Children's Program 3:00 News 3:30 Religious Teachings 4:00 Children's Program 5:00 News 6:00 Student's Program 7:00 Evening News 7:30 Film 9:00 Music 10:00 Variety Show 11:00 Health Program Program 2 5:30 p.m. Music 6:30 City News 7:00 News 7:30 News (in English) 8:00 Documentary TPI 5:30 a.m.

City police ready for week of demonstrations JAKARTA (JP): Security has been beefed up to anticipate mass demonstrations in Jakarta beginning Sunday, but many have expressed doubt at the police's ability to prevent disasters occurring in the capital, such as a reoccurrence of the Christmas Eve bombings. Under the Sadar Jaya I Operation, 40,000 Indonesian Military (TNI) troops and police officers will be deployed to secure the capital during certain dates that are considered crucial.

Krakatau, an ancient volcano that is still active By Ronald G. Pate JAKARTA (JP): Krakatau is an ancient volcano located in the Sunda Strait between the islands of Java and Sumatra in the Indonesian archipelago. Geological studies indicate that a massive antecedent volcano was destroyed by violent eruptions in 416 AD leaving a seven kilometer wide caldera. The present day islands of Krakatau, Verlaten, and Lang are remnants of that massive volcano.

Snapshot Photo C: Donation SMILING ORPHANS: Officials from the Jakarta Hilton International hotel pay a visit to Yakiin orphanage on Jl. Pesantren Kreo Selatan, Ciledug. The officials donated basic commodities and one-year scholarship money to the children on Dec. 20. Photo D: Skal Skal International HELPING HAND: President of Skal International Indonesia tourism organization Debe Campbell (left) presents a Rp 4 million donation to director of Anak-Anak Harapan orphanage, Rev. Tommy (center).

League organizers hope to prevent kickoff disaster MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi (JP): The organizing committee of the seventh Bank Mandiri Indonesian soccer league opening ceremony is working hard to avoid any disasters occurring during the nationwide televised kickoff at Mattoangin Stadium on Sunday.

All Navy plane crash fatalities buried JAKARTA (JP): Nine victims of the Navy Cassa U-614 plane, which crashed in the remote mountainous village of Silimo, Jayawijaya, Irian Jaya on Monday were buried in different cities on Saturday. Trikora Military Command chief Maj. Gen. Tonny A.

Popular traditional soup JAKARTA (JP): This popular traditional soup was originally served with perkedel (spiced potato cakes), spicy eggs, shrimp chili paste and shrimp crackers. Today, however, many people make their own variations.

Rumors of trouble in Jakarta Jakartans are wondering and worrying if mass demonstrations will really happen on Jan. 15 as widely speculated and rumored. Some people, mainly ethnic Chinese and expatriates, have left or are getting ready to leave the country. Flights to Singapore for Jan. 14 and Jan. 15 are fully booked. Hotels in Singapore and Batam are reportedly overbooked.

Indian PM: A man for all seasons By Mehru Jaffer JAKARTA (JP): Even after half a century of participation in public life, Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, 76, admits that he is unable to distinguish today between the Kauravas and the Pandavas of the world.

Trip down memory lane on popular 'Tembang Kenangan' Tembang Kenangan 9 p.m., Sunday Indosiar Host: Bob Tutupoly JAKARTA (JP): Old hit tunes sung by popular singers of the past stick in our minds, dredging up memories of memorable times when we were young. So if you enjoy listening to old songs sung by such onetime hitmakers as Koes Ploes, a popular Indonesian group of the 1970s, and Elvis Presley, then Tembang Kenangan (literally "nostalgic melodies") may be for you.