Money for nothing for the cellular phone companies By William Furney JAKARTA (JP): If you think the basic law of business is giving something (usually money) in return for a product or service, think again. In what may be an ironic twist amid continuing revelations of corruption, some Indonesian companies appear to be taking customers' cash and giving nothing in return. "It's our regulations," they chant. What's raising punters' blood pressure is credit expiry dates on prepaid cell phone cards.

Marlev to ask Taufik to meet Subagyo over coach's fate JAKARTA (JP): World number eight Marlev Mainaky expressed concern over teammate Taufik Hidayat's statement over the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) decision not to rehire coach Mulyo Handoyo at its training center. "As the most senior shuttler coached by Mulyo, I will ask Taufik and also junior Arief Rasidi to meet chairman Subagyo Hadisiswoyo to seek clarification on this matter.

Rotterdam stages Majapahit exhibition By Kunang Helmi-Picard ROTTERDAM, the Netherlands (JP): Indonesian history from the late 13th to early 16th century is celebrated in great style in Rotterdam's refurbished Wereldmuseum in a show appropriately named Majapahit: The Golden Age of Indonesian History. Running until mid-May, the enlarged museum provides a spectacular venue for lovers of Majapahit gold, bronze and stone artifacts. They are able to enjoy a comprehensive view of museum curator Dr.

'Face Off': A diary of the Malaysian 'reformasi' Face Off; A Malaysian Reformasi Diary (1998-99) Sabri Zain Published by Options Publications Pte Ltd, Singapore, 2000 (singbigo@singnet.con.sg) Paperback, 198pp Singapore $18.44 JAKARTA (JP): Hashanuddin Rais, a Malaysian filmmaker, makes the bold claim on the back of Face Off that after reading this collection of Sabri Zain's Internet pieces, "Malaysia will never be the same again." Another film director, U-Wei bin Haji Saan, asserts, "Sabri...

Harassment in immigration I refer to the letter Mixed marriages from Mr. Gulliver published in The Jakarta Post on Feb. 3, 2001. Mr. Gulliver, please understand that racism is a human concept and mankind is only human. Having made that point, there is discrimination and harassment in Indonesian immigration laws not because Indonesians do not like Westerners. I am going to be much more practical, or terre-a-terre. It is because Indonesians like to think that we (Westerners) are rich.

Yosfiah named suspect in murder of journalists DILI, East Timor (AP): UN prosecutors said Saturday they were considering issuing arrest warrants for three men - including a former Indonesian government minister - over the slaying of five foreign journalists in East Timor more than 25 years ago. Prosecutor-General Mohamed Othman said the world body would decide within two weeks whether to act against the suspects.

Still Playing JAKARTA (JP): What's playing, what's worth a look and what's not? The Jakarta Post contributor Joko E.H. Anwar gives you the lowdown on what is on offer at local movie theaters. The Accidental Spy. (Action/Adventure, 100 minutes). Starring Jackie Chan, Vivian Hsu, Eric Tsang. Directed by Teddy Chan. The reportedly most expensive Hong Kong film ever made turns out to be a disappointing Jackie Chan film. ** The Art of War. (Action/Thriller, 113 minutes).

Wukirasih not confident about her future in tennis JAKARTA (JP): National tennis player Wukirasih Sawondari failed to show up at a postmatch conference after losing on Saturday to junior Angelique Widjaja in the women's singles final of the 2001 Cigna Open Colors of Life tournament. She would not meet journalists or take part in the media coverage, not because of her defeat but apparently because she has nothing to boast about her future career.

A day in the life of a monkey seller Mat Jaes forgets the year of his birth but thinks he may be about 26 years old. Born in the Central Java town of Setamplat, Mat began his working life as a becak (pedicab) driver, before moving to the capital to earn a better living, which he says he does by peddling monkeys at the notorious bird market on Jl. Pramuka in Central Jakarta -- a trading center for all manner of endangered animals, and home to, among others, orangutan and sun bear smugglers.

The design of Samuel Wattimena's life By Asniar Shahab JAKARTA (JP): Around twenty years ago a high school graduate grabbed the attention of local fashion gurus when he was named winner of a national fashion contest organized by a leading fashion and women's magazine.

Angie and Febi clinch Cigna Open singles title JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's young talent Angelique Widjaja outclassed senior player Wukirasih Sawondari 4-6, 6-0, 6-3 to win the women's singles title at the 2001 Cigna Open Colors of Life tennis tournament on Saturday. Another young victor was Febi Widhiyanto who crushed veteran player Suhendar Dinata 4-6, 6-1, 6-0 in the men's singles final of the tournament, which offers a total of Rp 50 million in prize money.

Cabinet meeting held amid crisis over scandals JAKARTA (JP): In a show of unity two days after being censured by the House of Representatives (DPR) for his alleged involvement in two financial scandals, President Abdurrahman Wahid called an emergency Cabinet meeting on Saturday. In a departure from usual practice, Army, Navy and Air Force chiefs of staff also attended the meeting, which was chaired by Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri.

Take the danger out of storing medicine at home By Maria Endah Hulupi JAKARTA (JP): It is wise to have a medicine box at home to get rid of light symptoms of illness. What kind of medicines do you need to have in the box and what knowledge do you need to have to store them properly so that you will not fall victim to expired drugs? Dr.

Designer Nelwan Anwar eyes European fashion market By Maria Endah Hulupi JAKARTA (JP): Textile artist and designer Nelwan Anwar is now eying Europe to market his designs after a successful show in Rome recently. "I used the opportunity to display my works in front of potential clienteles in Europe. It was aimed at introducing a blend of natural fibers and silk as materials for haute couture," he said at his workshop in the Tebet area, South Jakarta.

'I don't like people being dishonest' Legislator Alvin Lie Ling Pao, 39, is one of few Chinese- Indonesian politicians. His consistent criticism toward President Abdurrahman Wahid for his alleged involvement in two financial scandals known as Bruneigate and Buloggate brings the man, who holds a master degree in international marketing from Stratchclyde University in Glasgow, into the media spotlight. The father of three, owner of PT Sarana Sehat -- a distributor of traditional medicine PT Ny.

Tips on ECS prevention JAKARTA (JP): Here are a few tips to help avoid economy class syndrome (ECS): * If you have blood coagulability problems, you are advised to consult your doctor prior to making a trip involving long hours of sitting. You may be advised to take low dosages of aspirin to help thin your blood. * Book a seat on the aisle or in the front row, where you will have more leg room or easier access to the aisle to stretch your legs if early symptoms start.

Savor the rich taste of W. Java's 'sayur asam' JAKARTA (JP): Do not even think of claiming to be a lover of Indonesian dishes if you cannot describe sayur asam. It is a popular West Java delicacy which literally translates "sour soup". And, if you have a good sense of taste, you may find the name is somewhat "inappropriate" because sayur asam actually offers a light and fresh combination of sour, hot and slightly sweet tastes, all in one bite.

'Kemlandingan' shells made into handicrafts By Simon Sudarman YOGYAKARTA (JP): Nuryanto defines artwork as "something simple and almost useless made useful and valuable." The countryside bachelor makes earthenware vessels and pandanus handicrafts as a profession. He became an artisan after he became concerned over the enormous wastage of materials in handicraft-making. "This idea struck me not long ago when I went to a number of handicraft exhibitions.

Flying economy class risks ECS By Maria Endah Hulupi and I. Christianto JAKARTA (JP): Frequent fliers now have something more to worry about than the usual irritations of turbulence, missed connections and bad airline food. A spate of reports point out that flying economy class on long-haul flights may bring something more serious than pains in the neck, legs and backside from sitting for hours in cramped seats.

Four Indonesians 'drowned' KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Malaysian authorities have begun searching for at least four Indonesians feared drowned off Malaysia's west coast, a marine department official said on Friday. Police found the bodies of five Indonesians off Port Klang, the country's busiest port, on Thursday. Their boat had capsized a few days earlier while trying to sneak into Malaysian waters illegally, the official said.

Sepang Grand Prix will have more spectators this year: SIC JAKARTA (JP): The Formula One Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix 2001 organizer, Sepang International Circuit (SIC) is sure more spectators will come to the next race in March. SIC's public relations manager, Shuhainie Shamsudin, said, "We estimate some 88,000 spectators were at last year's Grand Prix final session at Sepang.

Roy Suryo, pioneer in multimedia documentation By Ridlo Aryanto YOGYAKARTA (JP): Is there any evidence possessing greater authenticity than a suspect's confession, a witness's testimony or an exhibit in a criminal case? The Criminal Code says "no", but if the same question is asked of RM Roy Suryo, he will strongly reply "yes".

Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Painting Bramasto's Collections 1939-1996, Gallery Twilite Cafe, Jl. Kemang Raya No. 24A, South Jakarta (Phone: 7194270), until Feb. 28. * Fine Art, Galeri Nasional Indonesia (the National Gallery), Jl. Medan Merdeka Timur 14, Gambir, Central Jakarta (Phone: 34833954), until Feb. 6. * Photo: Milenium Moment, Anggota Galeri Cahya, Galeri Foto Cahya, Wisma Surya Kemang, Jl. Kemang Raya no. 33, South Jakarta, until Feb. 8.

Indonesians eye KL coasts KUALA LUMPUR (DPA): More than 20,000 Indonesians are believed to be waiting at various ports facing Johor's coasts for the right time to enter Malaysia, news reports said Saturday. Wan Aziz Wan Mahmud, assistant director of Malaysia's Immigration Department, said that figure was the same as the number of Indonesians stopped at port check points in their country as they awaited boats to ferry them illegally to Malaysia.

Powell meets RI minister WASHINGTON (AFP): Minister of Trade and Industry Luhut Panjaitan told U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell Friday Indonesia would use democratic and constitutional means to work through its political turmoil, officials said. The two men held talks at the State Department and Powell was given a summary of recent events in Indonesia, spokesman Richard Boucher said.

'Barongsai' dance enjoys a revival By Ida Indawati Khouw JAKARTA (JP): Residents of Taman Harapan Indah housing complex in North Jakarta have been used to the deafening sound of drums, gongs, cymbals and other musical instruments blaring from a nearby tennis court where a group of people rehearse Barongsai (lion) dance. Unlike during the period of Soeharto's authoritarian New Order government that crumbled in 1998, the security authorities now seem to turn a deaf ear to the noise.

Guess What? Riswandha Imawan Political observer Riswandha Imawan of Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta, is doing everything he can to escape the rat race and reside in a quiet place on the slope of the rumbling volcano, Mt. Merapi. Is Riswanda giving up his profession and learning to become an ascetic? Or does he simply want to get away from his nagging wife and children? "I purposely seek seclusion in order to gain the time and space to read," he said.

Snapshot Photo A: PR Perhumas NEW BOSS: Teddy Kharsadi (right) congratulates August Parengkuan, who replaces him as chairman of the Indonesian Public Relations Association. Parengkuan will hold the office until 2002. The ceremony took place on Jan. 23. Photo B: French Tauzia Business Development MEMORABLE MOMENTS: Marc Steinmyer (left), trade advisor to the French government, receives the Officier dans l'Ordre National du Merite award from French Ambassador to Indonesia Gerard Cros.

Trust soars in new Philippine president MANILA (AGENCIES): Philippine President Gloria Arroyo's trust ratings have bounced back since she took power in a bloodless, military-backed popular uprising last month, an independent survey said Saturday. However, trust in her fallen predecessor Joseph Estrada predictably dropped, according to the Pulse Asia poll of 346 people in the capital on January 26.

Garut home industries boast fine silk products By Dewi Anggraeni GARUT, West Java (JP): What is beauty? In everyday speak, beauty is something which brings pleasure. It is such an ephemeral, even abstract concept, yet for centuries artists and artisans have been able to transfer beauty from the realm of idea into reality. Many go further. They make it real and personal. And it sells. Make beauty attachable to our persons, as attire, as adornments, then you are in business.

A challenging trip to the isolated mountain tops By Neles Tebay MULIA, Irian Jaya (JP): Puncak Jaya, in the central highlands of Irian Jaya is well-known as an exotic remote place popular for its snow-covered mountain peaks. The spectacular mountains and valleys, the cool weather, and virgin forests are an enormous tourist attraction for the adventurous with the time and money to spend their holidays in this isolated natural resort with few modern amenities such as hotels.

The die-hard colonial mentality JAKARTA (JP): I am beginning to suspect that the Southeast Asian service industry suffers from a long-lasting colonial mentality. In Melbourne, where I live, whenever I go to a European-Australian restaurant, with male or female companions of the Caucasian race, the waiters make sure they address everybody.

Attack on Golkar, PPP head offices canceled SURABAYA (JP): At least 200 Nation Rescuer Front members canceled a plan to attack the head offices of Golkar Party East Java and the United Development Party (PPP) on Saturday due to police alertness. One of the group's coordinators, Saiful Hadi, said that they did intend to vandalize the Golkar Party and PPP head offices on Jl. Kertomanunggal and Jl.