Where to go in Jakarta: Sunday, November 11, 2001 Exhibitions * Ikat from Eastern Sumba and Handicrafts from Sardinia, Italian Cultural Institute, Jl. HOS Cokroaminoto No. 117, Central Jakarta (Tel. 3927531), until Nov. 15. * Indonesia Art Awards 2001, the National Gallery of Indonesia, Jl. Medan Merdeka Timur No. 14, Gambir, Central Jakarta (Tel. 34833954), 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., until Nov. 20.

Hamzah to leave for Japan INDONESIA: Vice President Hamzah Haz will fly to Japan on Sunday for a general medical checkup. Hamzah is scheduled to take off at 11:30 p.m. on Sunday from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport aboard a Garuda Indonesia commercial flight. The Vice President's first wife Ismaniah will accompany Hamzah, along with some of his staff. The whole entourage will comprise 20 people. There is no official information on the name of the hospital where he is to undergo the checkup.

Khatulistiwa Literary Award: Honoring RI's best fiction The Commonwealth countries have the Booker Prize and now Indonesia has the Khatulistiwa Literary Award. The award, which honors Indonesia's best fiction, is being awarded for the first time this year. The Khatulistiwa is the brainchild of Richard Oh, the owner of QB World Books, and is supported by the management of Plaza Senayan, Mont Blanc, Ernst & Young, Honda, Jakarta Hilton International, Secure Parking and nuvoCom.

Stephanus Hamy looks to the East for inspiration Asniar Sahab, Contributor, Jakarta In his 16 years in fashion, Stephanus Hamy has made consistency his tradmark, particularly pleats, which are lovingly incorporated into his designs. Stephanus has spent over 13 years developing the pleat technique, the application of which came from observing other designers and then making it his own.

Furniture designers look to own backyard Maria Endah Hulupi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta With a focus on functionality, local manufacturers are exploring traditional materials and incorporating ethnic elements or influences from other countries into their product designs. It was evident in the wares exhibited during the Indonesia Good Design Selection 2001 in October.

Getting the other side of the story about Indonesia today News of anti-American sentiment in Indonesia has reached the outside world, causing foreign investors to reexamine their positions and keeping tourists away in droves. Universally, foreign readers are being besieged with reports of Muslim student demonstrations demanding that the Indonesian government break all ties with the United States because of its attacks on Afghanistan.

Some straight talking with author Ayu Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta It was a long time coming, but author Yustina Ayu Utami, better known as Ayu Utami, has finally finished the continuation of Saman, her critically acclaimed book published in 1998. Back then, the book was said to be a fragment of a novel in the works called Laila Tak Mampir Ke New York. But Ayu, 33, then decided to make it into two independent novels, though connected, and titled the second Larung.

Few bother to observe National Heroes Day Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Unlike in past years, no sirens sounded across the country on Saturday to herald minutes of silence as a tribute to the fallen fathers of independence. Only a handful of people attended the National Heroes Day ceremony at the Kalibata Heroes Cemetery. Among top military brass, only Jakarta Garrison chief Brig. Gen. Harry Pisand Pinem and Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen.

RI extradites Islamic militant suspect MALAYSIA: Indonesian police extradited an Islamic militant suspect to Malaysia two months after he was arrested for a spate of bombings in Jakarta, news reports said on Saturday. The Star daily said 29-year-old Saharani Mohd Esa was wanted in Malaysia for his alleged involvement in a militant group trying to topple Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's secular government.

Handbags: Giving the ultimate feeling to all Christiani Tumelap, Contributor, Jakarta If you see a woman blowing her budget on an Rp 8 million (about US$780) branded handbag, don't bother to ask why. Handbags have recently achieved higher esteem not only as indispensable fashion statements but also bold status symbols. "I'm not a true fashionist.

Color trend 2002: 'Wayang' and 'sogan' To the average eye, particularly those of men, the cosmetic color of lips, cheeks and the area around the eyes of women are all too similar from year to year. However to experts in the fashion industry, and only few realize that, the color of cosmetics also has trends, which differ each year.

Widhi's accent on elegance Muara Bagdja, Contributor, Jakarta The sumptuousness of bustiers and dresses with trains, bathed in glittering sequins and beads, has figured prominently in various fashion shows by Indonesian designers over the last few months -- a style apparently more suited to a red carpet than the demands of daily activity.

Cosmo Men 2001 The quest for Mr. Right goes wrong -------------- Hera Diani The Jakarta Post Jakarta ----------------- Mr. Right, according to Kosmopolitan magazine, the franchise of the U.S. magazine with a "C", is not merely a good-looking guy with a washboard flat stomach and bulging biceps. Of course looks matter, but a man must have certain "qualities", including a successful career, a respect for a woman's career, maturity and the ability to be a reliable partner.

Muslim attire: Surviving in hard times Asniar Sahab, Contributor, Jakarta Fashion and all its accessories such as perfume, cosmetics, handbags, jewelry and other related items are very close to each other in terms of market demand. So to increase sales to larger sectors of its market, producers, designers and distributors are forced to find out creative ways to boost sales. For the last 10 years, Muslim apparel has secured a stronger position in fashion.

Poverty shadows 120m Indonesians: Who cares? Fitri Wulandari and Israr Ardiansyah, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Yogyakarta A new World Bank report says that as many as 120 million Indonesians are either living in abject poverty or are staring poverty in the face. But does any one really care? You would be forgiven for thinking that the nation's political elite are either ignorant or simply cannot be bothered with the issue.

Vietnamese president in RI for talks to improve economic ties Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Vietnamese President Tran Duc Luong started a three-day state visit to Indonesia on Saturday to increase economic ties and resolve contentious issues such as maritime boundaries in the South China Sea.

'Just let me sing with Sting if the world is going to end' Bruce Emond, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Tika Panggabean is always one of the boys, or at least on stage and in front of the camera. Since becoming part of the hit comedy troupe Project P while an undergraduate at Bandung's Parahyangan University in the early 1990s, Tika has set herself apart from the men in the troupe with her fruity laugh and wicked impressions.

Heroes Day passes with little fanfare Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Unlike in past years, no sirens sounded across the country on Saturday to herald minutes of silence as a tribute to the fallen fathers of independence. Only a handful of people attended the National Heroes Day ceremony at the Kalibata Heroes Cemetery. Among top military brass, only Jakarta Garrison chief Brig. Gen. Harry Pisand Pinem and Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen.

Ethnic nuance dominates Fashion Trend 2002 It seems that designs with ethnic touches and contemporary styles will dominate the fashion industry next year. It can obviously be seen in some clothes presented in the 2002 Fashion Trend program, which was organized by the Association of the Indonesian Fashion Designing Entrepreneurs (APPMI) at Alila Hotel, Jakarta recently.

Few observe Heroes Day Tiarma Siboro The Jakarta Post Jakarta Unlike in the past years, no sound of sirens across the country remarking minutes of silence to pay tribute to the fallen forefathers of independence. Only a handful of people attended the Heroes Day ceremony at the Kalibata heroes cemetery. Among top military brass, only Jakarta Garrison chief Brig. Gen. Harry Pisand Pinem and Jakarta Military commander Maj. Gen.

120 million on the poverty line. Who cares? Fitri Wulandari and Israr Ardiansyah The Jakarta Post Jakarta/Yogyakarta A new World Bank report says that as many as 120 million Indonesians are either living in abject poverty or are staring poverty in the face. But does any one really care? You would be forgiven for thinking that the nation's political elite are either ignorant or simply cannot be bothered with the issue.

A true tale (sort of) from behind the Velvet Door Penn Dawson, Contributor, Jakarta Location: Hotel Sahid Jaya, 18th Floor, Jl. Sudirman No. 86, Central Jakarta. Telephone: 572-5992. Hours: Wednesday to Saturday 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. He stepped out of the elevator on the 18th floor of the Hotel Sahid Jaya. Who knew this place had 18 floors, he mused. There was an Indian restaurant on the right and the left was the Velvet Door, a new club/bar. He went left.

Divas in Concert: Showing a bit of attitude Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Lucky you if you watched the Divas of Southeast Asia (DIVASEA) concert on television on Thursday night rather than in person. You missed the acappella group that killed time during the commercial breaks. Calling themselves Peace Acappella, they practically ruined every song they did with unnecessary, show-offy improvisation. Well, here I am, being overly picky again.

Police pursue 3rd suspect in church attack Annastashya Emmanuelle, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Police are pursuing another suspect in relation to the Petra church bombing on Friday and are continuing to question two men arrested immediately after the explosion, the Jakarta Police spokesman said on Saturday. The two suspects, Wahyu Handoko and Ujang Arif, said they were members of the mujahedin group Kompak, Sr. Comr. Anton Bachrul Alam said.

Keep on exercising during your period The Jakarta Post, Jakarta It has been a week since Heidi, along with Jeff, started her fitness program at the Quantum Athletic Club in Menara Imperium, Kuningan, South Jakarta. B.J. Habibie was still riding high as president when Heidi last visited a gym, so the head of fitness at the Quantum, Diding Winardi, started her out on the stationary bike and treadmill and threw in a series of abdominal workouts (without equipment) on the first day.

Poor go without all year round Muninggar Sri Saraswati and Annastashya Emmanuelle, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Ramadhan is coming. And in the next few days, millions of Indonesians, like their Muslim brethren around the world, will start fasting. From dawn till dusk, they will refrain from eating, drinking and other worldly pleasures. Rahmat, 45, however, does not have to wait until this weekend to start fasting.

How to remain healthy while fasting Maria Endah Hulupi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Muslims around the world are set to start fasting from dawn to dusk during the holy month of Ramadhan, which falls later this week. It is a time for reflection and introspection as people avoid worldly pleasures, including eating, drinking and sex, during daylight hours. However, people need to watch their nutritional intake while performing this act of devotion to ensure they remain healthy.

Get connected at Jakarta's cybercafes Susanna Tjokro, Contributor, Jakarta Technology is on the march in Jakarta. Just take a look around your typical street in the capital and you are sure to find at least one Internet cafe, filled with people surfing the Net and sending out e-mails. The local name for these establishments is Warnet, short for Warung Internet, with warung meaning small shop or stall.

TV today TVRI 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News 8:00 Cartoon 8:30 Children's Program 9:30 Music 11:00 Regional News 11:30 Children's Program 12:00 p.m. Traditional Comedy 1:30 Children's Program 2:00 News 3:30 Documentary 4:30 Children's Program 5:00 Documentary 6:00 News 7:00 Comedy 7:30 Songs and Dances 9:00 Music 10:00 News 10:30 Sports Program 2 5:30 p.m. Music 6:30 City News 7:00 News 7:30 News (in English) 8:00 Features TPI 5:30 a.m.

A Lebanese treat to break the fast Maria Endah Hulupi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta If you are looking for something different from Middle Eastern gastronomy for the pre-dawn meal and breaking your fast, you may could do worse than try the baked puff pastries filled with korma (date) paste from Lebanon. This practical treat is created by Chahid Youness, executive sous chef with the Al Nafoura Lebanese restaurant in Le Meridien Jakarta and it is one of the restaurant's special desserts.

Indonesian squash dreams for the world Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Ask someone about squash and the probability of him or her knowing about the sport would be very small. Unlike tennis, taken as a comparative example, squash has yet to reach, say, the level of regencies. Even at a provincial level, people do not know much about the sport. Although squash is believed to have been first introduced to Indonesia as early as the 1940s, tournaments were not organized here until the 1980s.

Shade of life in Arifien's artworks Mehru Jaffer, Contributor, Jakarta Luscious limbs, amorous arms and just a hint of humor is what attracts collectors like Santi Solaiman to the art of Arifien. Ever since she first saw his work some two decades ago she has been mesmerized by the strength of the artist's strokes combined with a generous use of color.

Perfume: A matter of budget or trend? K. Basrie, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Distributors of world-class brands cannot deny that sales within this business, just like others, are still low in Indonesia following the mid-1997 economic crisis, which seemingly has still affected lovers of fragrance when it comes to spending that little bit extra on perfume. Contacted by The Jakarta Post separately, they admitted that orders were significantly down and more selective. "It's a setback.