The forgotten traditions in Chinese New Year in Indonesia By Mauro Rahardjo BANDUNG (JP): During President's Soeharto's reign, for more than 30 years Chinese traditions were banned and not allowed to be practiced. Hence, it is no wonder that most of the younger generation have forgotten many of them. Unlike his predecessors, President Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid is now encouraging the Chinese to fully perform their traditions.

'Ikat' reveals the richness of Nusa Tenggara textiles By Des Price FLORES, East Nusa Tenggara (JP): East Nusa Tenggara, as well as other parts of Indonesia, has retained a rich cultural tradition of ikat-making on a large scale, which in many parts of the world has declined due to high production costs and the influences of mass media and industrialization.

Political party cleansing In politics, "political cleansing" seems to me to be the dirtiest expression coined and dirtiest tactic practiced to annihilate political opponents, regardless of age or sex. The Kosovo case serves as an example of how political cleansing was carried out by the party leadership to get rid of party members who violate the official party's policy.

Tana Toraja, a wonderful land of rituals Text and photos by Ida Indawati Khouw JAKARTA (JP): My husband and I had a hard time deciding where to spend our holiday in December. We had a long list of possible destinations but we thought most of the places were "unsafe" because the areas were prone to either social tension or natural disasters. After a lengthy discussion, we eventually settled on Tana Toraja in South Sulawesi as the best choice. So off we went.

2001: Glittering or gloomy? By Soeryo Winoto If the government succeeds in fulfilling its 2001 target to make the rupiah stronger against U.S. dollar -- Rp 8,500 per US$1 -- the domestic market for cars will bloom, meaning that more people will enjoy quality cars. Association of Indonesian Automotive Industries (Gaikindo) chairman, Bambang Trisulo, said.

Brazilian president in Bali JAKARTA (JP): Brazilian president Fernando Hendrique Cardoso and his entourage arrived in Denpasar, Bali, on Saturday for a three-day informal visit. There is no official itinerary of Cardoso's first Indonesian visit until he departs the tourist island for East Timor on Monday morning. Later on that day, Cardoso is scheduled to fly to Jakarta, before leaving for home.

Still Playing JAKARTA (JP): Are films still in local theaters dying a slow death or do they deserve to be there? The Jakarta Post contributor Joko E.H. Anwar tells it like it is. 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).

Ethnic Chinese free to celebrate Lunar New Year By Tri Hafiningsih JAKARTA (JP): Over the last few days, the markets in Glodok, the capital's Chinatown, have been unusually busy. Shoppers of all ages brush shoulders in shops and stalls as they buy decorations and food for the Chinese New Year, which falls on Jan. 24. But Glodok is no longer the only place in Jakarta where Chinese-Indonesians can shop for the holiday.

Rapprochement By Dewi Anggraeni When we reached Klungkung the driver turned toward us. "Bu," *) he said, addressing me, "you may want to close the windows if you don't want to breathe in exhaust fumes." I saw the black clouds puffing out of the public buses in front of us and felt the increasing congestion in my chest, but the hired car was not air-conditioned, so it was either hot stuffy air or hot breezy polluted air.

Ailing Theys to be flown to Jakarta for treatment JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya (JP): Ailing Theys Hiyo Eluay, leader of the Papuan Presidium Council (PDP) will be flown to Jakarta for treatment on Sunday for irregular heart beat, sources at the Prosecutors' Office said here on Saturday. The 63-year-old Theys, who is being treated at the Dok 2 General Hospital in Jayapura, will be taken in an ambulance from the hospital to the Sentani airport under tight security, the sources said.

Bombs at TMII provided by fugitive Tommy: Police JAKARTA (JP): Police said on Saturday a woman arrested at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) on Friday in the possession of three bombs admitted she received the bombs from Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra, the fugitive son of former president Soeharto. They also said they had uncovered a number of clues that pointed to Tommy's possible involvement in the Christmas Eve bombings. National Police spokesman Brig. Gen.

My Lunar New Year celebrations: Now it can be told JAKARTA (JP): A car stopped in front of a house in the Kemang area. Five people dressed in black got out and entered the house. More cars came and more people in black entered the house. Who were they? Witches? Members of a secret society? People with a license to kill?

A day with a water peddler Abdulsalam, 55, is a water peddler in the Meruya Ilir area of West Jakarta. A native of Batang, Central Java, he spends most of the year working in the capital, leaving his wife and seven children in his home village. At night Abdulsalam sleeps in a mosque at the Meruya Ilir market, waking in the morning to go on his rounds. JAKARTA (JP): "I've been a water hawker for 15 years, starting in 1985 when I first came to Jakarta.

Food, glorious food on 'Pesiar Kuliner' Pesiar Kuliner; ANteve, 10 a.m. Saturday, 3:30 p.m. Sunday; Host: Ferry Salim JAKARTA (JP): The new province of Banten has long been known for its special Bandeng fish satay, a dish loaded with spices. But gourmets, gourmands and connoisseurs of good food as well as those interested in a little culinary adventure do not have to travel out of town to discover what it is all about.

Whipping up some Lunar New Year delicacies JAKARTA (JP): Looking for some easy to prepare but delicious dishes to celebrate the upcoming Lunar New Year? Try the following recipes; your family and friends are sure to be impressed.

Symbolic delicacy returns for Chinese New Year By Ida Indawati Khouw JAKARTA (JP): Chinese New Year is coming again. Look forward to the typical delicacy kue keranjang ("basket cake") -- that sweet, dark-red, round cake wrapped in plastic or banana leaf. For some Chinese, the New Year celebration is incomplete without the cake, which is known by various names, the most popular being dodol cina (Chinese taffy), and kue keranjang or kue cina (Chinese cake).

Nine provinces to attend horse racing event in Pulomas JAKARTA (JP): Nine provinces will take part in an event at the Pulomas horse track in East Jakarta on Sunday, which is being organized by the Indonesian Equestrian and Horse Racing Association (Pordasi) and information technology company PT Citra Candika.

Indonesia eyes Winter Olympics in contract bridge JAKARTA (JP): With the recognition of the World Bridge Federation (WBF) as an international sports federation in the Olympic family, Indonesia has for the first time the opportunity to take part in the Winter Olympics. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has decided to stage bridge as an exhibition event at the Salt Lake City 2002 Winter Games and as a medal event at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin.

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), until Jan. 24. * Painting Lucia Hartini, Galeri Nasional Indonesia (the National Gallery), Jl. Medan Merdeka Timur 14, Gambir, Central Jakarta (Phone: 34833954), until Jan.

Data centers: The heart of the Net By. Vishnu K. Mahmud JAKARTA (JP): There is a silver lining in the midst of all the fallen dot coms: infrastructure. Around the world, while many websites and Internet businesses are going bankrupt, the data centers, Internet connection providers and other businesses that support the backbone of the new economy are actually thriving.

Forty useful answers for emergency situations The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook; Joshua Piven and David Borgenicht; Chronicle Books, San Francisco, 1999; 176 pp JAKARTA (JP): How do you escape from a bear or a mountain lion, wrestle free from an alligator or deal with a charging bull? The answer to all these questions and more can be found in a little yellow booklet called The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook, published by Chronicle Books in San Francisco.

Environmentally friendly rally in Semarang SEMARANG (JP): Semarang is slated to host a rally tour with a concern for environmental issues, called the Pertamina Blue Sky Tour Rally, from Feb. 10 to Feb. 11. Organizer Helmy Sungkar said on Saturday, "The event will emphasize issues of air pollution, so we will not allow any vehicles that use diesel fuel.

Semarang to host 21st STE c'ships SEMARANG (JP): The Indonesian Amateur Boxing Association (Pertina) has picked Semarang to host the 21st Sarung Tinju Emas (STE) boxing championship from March 19 to March 24. "Pertina has decided to stage the event in Semarang and Pertina's Central Java chapter chairman, Alvin Lie, has agreed to organize the tournament," Pertina's chairman of tournament commission, Bachter Rajasa, said on Saturday.

How to deal with your bad breath wisely By Maria Endah Hulupi JAKARTA (JP): Sandra, a 25-year-old executive wasn't aware of having bad breath until she noticed how people she talked to reacted as she spoke. She cannot understand why she has bad breath although she has done everything possible to ensure that her mouth is clean: brushing her teeth three times a day, cleaning her teeth with dental floss and rinsing her mouth out with breath freshener. And yet, she still has it.

FIFA says no change in W. Cup name order SEOUL (AP): FIFA, world soccer's governing body, has ruled against Japan's move to put its name ahead of co-host South Korea's on 2002 World Cup tickets to be sold to Japanese spectators, officials said Saturday. FIFA secretary general Michel Zen-Ruffinen sent a letter to the South Korean and Japanese organizing committees Friday, trying to put an end to the dispute between the two co-hosts, said the South Korean committee in a news release.

What you can teach your child by having a pet By Maria Endah Hulupi JAKARTA (JP): People can build intimate friendships with their pets and treat the domesticated animals like members of their own family because they become emotionally attached. Many people want to have pets to keep themselves company and to play with. They take good care of the animals and value the memory of their pets once the animal has died.

Imlek in the eyes of INTI chairman By Oei Eng Goan JAKARTA (JP): Gone are the days when Indonesians of Chinese origin had to restrain themselves from celebrating the Lunar New Year in festive mood and with colorful attractions like the traditional lion and dragon dances.