Contemporary art galleries in Singapore By Boudewijn Brands SINGAPORE (JP): Many expatriates make quick visits to Singapore for immigration purposes. The fact is, Singapore is now the closest developed country to Indonesia. It is clean, well organized and it has high standards of culture. Although these standards are also found in the field of contemporary art, it was not always the case though.

Estrada congratulates Arroyo on poll results MANILA (Reuters): Ousted Philippine leader Joseph Estrada congratulated President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Saturday after her coalition party's apparent victory in the senatorial race, the presidential spokesman said. Arroyo, who visited Estrada in a military hospital, in turn congratulated Estrada for the "seeming victory" of his wife Luisa, nicknamed "Loi", in the senatorial contests.

Thailand's novice attempts to launch female monkhood By Peter Janssen NAKHON PATHOM, Thailand (DPA): Every Sunday morning a Buddhist service is held at the Songdharmakalayani temple, 52 kilometers west of Bangkok, offering something unique to this land of ubiquitous monks, pagodas, shrines and Buddha statues. "I am offering something that Thai society is lacking," said Chatsumarn Kabilsingh.

PAN deplores attack SURABAYA (JP): Unidentified people riding motorbikes threw fireworks and plastic bags filled with gasoline at the residences of five members of the National Mandate Party in different locations at Bondowoso and Cerme regencies, East Java, in the small hours of Friday. Chairman of East Java chapter of the party Sulthon Amien deplored the attacks on Saturday, urging the police to investigate the crime.

'I'll stick to public relations' JAKARTA (JP): For 36-year-old Nadira Alatas, the second daughter of former foreign minister Ali Alatas, public relations is her world. After studying Political Science at New York University from 1983 to 1988 and obtaining a BA, she decided to quit the school that her father chose for her. She turned to another science, hospitality management, and studied at Paul Smith College in New York from 1987 to 1988 where she obtained an associate degree.

A relaxing way to soothe the spirit and restore well-being As part of activities in commemoration of its 10th anniversary, the Javana Spa's management invited journalists last week to tour its facility in the scenic highlands of Sukabumi, West Java. The Jakarta Post's Maria Endah Hulupi has this report.

Press freedom to be curtailed? President Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid feels that the press no longer deserves its freedom and, in many respects, needs to be curtailed. Its coverage of presidential activities in particular and those of the government in general are regarded as being disadvantageous to the interests of the government.

Fine Chinese food for dinner JAKARTA (JP): Chinese cookbook writer Mary Winata shares her recipes for asparagus soup, which is one of the most popular Chinese soups and Ma Po bean curd. The soup makes an appetizing starter before a heavier course, while the spicy Ma Po's bean curd is best served with warm rice.

Guess What? James F. Sundah It never crossed musician James F. Sundah's mind that Lilin- lilin Kecil (Little candles), a song he composed 24 years ago, would become popular again due to AIDS, which started to hit Indonesia only in the second half of 1980s. Over the past number of years, Lilin-lilin Kecil has been used as the theme song for every candlelight vigil held to mark the annual World AIDS Day commemoration that falls on May 21.

Why teaching art to children is essentialBy Tut Sayogya JAKARTA (JP): Many educators like to criticize the mistakes made by the New Order education system, especially the curriculum, which is still in use now. Although the system has produced millions of "intelligent" people, it has not encouraged certain capabilities because it focuses on logical-analytical human behavior. Students lack important qualities such as creativity, intuition, global analyzing, etc. Why?

'It's rainy out there. Let's play games, kids' JAKARTA (JP): Playgroups are a wonderful way for children to have early social interaction with a familiar set of friends before they reach school age. Looking for some activities to keep those little ones occupied? Whether you run a day-care center or have the neighborhood kids over for the afternoon, here are some activities aimed at entertaining them, and you, which do not require much preparation or an endless supply of materials.

Pertamina boosts diesel supplies to end fuel crisis JAKARTA (JP): State oil and gas company Pertamina has ensured that the diesel fuel crisis in the capital will end by Monday as it has increased supplies to gas stations throughout the city by 50 percent. Starting on Friday, Pertamina supplied 5,200 kiloliters of diesel fuel per day, instead of 3,800 kiloliters as usual, to overcome the shortage which has hit gas stations in the past few days.

Still Playing JAKARTA (JP): There are not so many exciting movies currently screening at local theaters. If you still insist on going to the movie this Sunday, you may need to read Joko E.H. Anwar's reviews. Exit Wounds (Action, 103 minutes). Starring Steven Seagal, DMX, Isaiah Washington, Michael Jai White, Bill Duke, Tom Arnold. Directed by Andrzej Bartkowiak. A police officer does not play by any rules when it comes to facing criminal. Brainless with exciting action.

JP/10/JOB Networking for competitive advantage JAKARTA (JP): Relationships are at the heart of our lives. And it can also be said that our professional relationships are at the heart of our success. Networking, therefore, has become an invaluable skill, tool or orientation. "It's not what you know, but who you know" is a familiar saying, yet it is only half true.

Tae kwon do team to be announced next week JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Tae kwon do Association (TI) will announce the Kuala Lumpur 2001 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games squad next week, canceling the original plan to announce it this week. TI planned to announce the squad members on Saturday following a trial session between all tae kwon doins preparing for the SEA Games at the Ragunan sports complex in South Jakarta, but it was canceled due to further considerations.

Fuel crisis Pertamina boosts diesel supplies to end fuel crisis. Page 2 Art expert Helena, visiting expert on Indonesian contemporary art Page 3 Tourist site Situ Lengkong: A lake of ten thousand water lilies. Page 4 Art teaching Why teaching art to children has become so essential. Page 5 Javana spa A relaxing way to soothe the spirit and restore well-being. Page 6 HIV/AIDS The language of diplomacy and the AIDS epidemic. Page 7 Computer Open source software makes programming more efficient.

Why teaching art to children has become essential By Tut Sayogya JAKARTA (JP): Many educators like to criticize the mistakes made by the New Order education system, especially the curriculum, which is still in use now. Although the system has produced millions of "intelligent" people, it has not encouraged certain capabilities because it focuses on logical-analytical human behavior. Students lack important qualities such as creativity, intuition, global analyzing, etc. Why?

School or just at home with moms? By K. Basrie More and more moms and dads, including those from the lower economic classes, realize the importance of early education for their children. What do they really have in mind when they think about the appropriate schools, teachers, facilities, activities and toys for their children?

'The X-Files' fails to alienate TV audiences in return to RI The X-Files SCTV, Wednesday, 10:30 p.m. JAKARTA (JP): After suspended for few months, The X-Files, returns to meet it fans in Indonesia. Since May 2, the private TV station Surya Citra Televisi (SCTV) has scheduled to air the eighth seasons of the popular sci-fi tv-series every Wednesday night (10:30 p.m.).

Local in the English-speaking groups JAKARTA (JP): Preschools and playgroups offer children obvious benefits in social skills for when they enter primary school, but there are some in Jakarta that are increasing kids' advantages by instructing them in English. Novita Tandry, the head of franchise operations for Tumble Tots Indonesia, said children learn naturally through structured physical play.

PAN deplores attack SURABAYA (JP): Unidentified people riding motorbikes threw fireworks and plastic bags filled with gasoline at the residences of five members of the National Mandate Party in different locations at Bondowoso and Cerme regencies, East Java, in the small hours of Friday. Chairman of East Java chapter of the party Sulthon Amien deplored the attacks on Saturday, urging the police to investigate the crime.

Nuke-free status discussed HANOI (Reuters): Senior Southeast Asian officials wrapped up on Saturday a three-day regional security meeting in Hanoi with talks on a protocol to make the region a nuclear-free zone. Officials from the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) met on Saturday morning with diplomats from five nuclear- capable nations - China, France, Russia, Britain and the United States - to discuss the proposal. ASEAN has declared itself a nuclear weapons free zone.

Mega changes plans due to 'emergency' JAKARTA (JP): Due to an "emergency situation" in the capital, Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri canceled a weekend trip and returned to Jakarta late on Friday night. Megawati, who is also chairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), rushed back to the capital from Singapore at midnight on Friday and held several meetings in Jakarta on Saturday.

West Java dominates fencing c'ships JAKARTA (JP): The West Java contingent proved its dominance at the national fencing championships which ended on Saturday, winning the junior and senior division titles. West Java was awarded the Minister of National Education Cup after collecting 315 points in the junior division, while its 410 points in the senior division earned the team the National Sports Council (KONI) Cup.

Is Indonesia still relevant, 55 years on? At the age of 55, Indonesia has been showing no signs of prosperity as the founding fathers would have dreamed of. On the contrary, the unitary state is at the verge of bankruptcy. When laws no longer reign supreme, violence, corruption, separatism and social ills become rampant. People from various backgrounds across the country that is celebrating National Awakening Day today reflect on their concern over the situation. Tengku H.

Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Advertisement Postcard, Gallery RPC, Jl. Suryo 8 Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, until May 31. * Modern Indonesian Literature, Galeri Lontar, Jl. Utan Kayu 68H, East Jakarta (Phone: 8573388), May 31. * Photo Open Boundaries, in collaboration with British Council and Goethe Institute, Italian Cultural Institute, Jl. HOS Cokroaminoto 117, Central Jakarta (Phone: 3927531), Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., until May 27.

Situ Lengkong: A lake of ten thousands water lilies By Wawan S. Husin CIAMIS, West Java (JP): If you are tired of big cities, drowning in a sea of paper, or have a headache from the incessant ringing of the telephone and glare of the computer monitor screen please come to Situ Lengkong in the small city of Panjalu. The city is about 130 kms east of Bandung, or about 35kms to the southeast of Tasikmalaya. Panjalu is a kecamatan (subdistrict) city of about 50,000 people.

Student activism '77/78 revisited Menentang Tirani, Aksi Mahasiswa '77/78 (Against Tyranny, Student Activism of '77/'78); Edy Budiyarso; Grasindo, Jakarta 2000; Paperback 354 pp MELBOURNE (JP): In a private conversation, Arief Budiman, sociologist and political observer, once said that he regarded student activists as one of the most selfless groups fighting for justice. "They fight without expecting personal rewards. They sacrifice themselves for the good of the majority," Arief said.

Two convicts executed KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara (JP): Two convicts sentenced to death for murder were executed on Friday midnight after their request for a presidential pardon was rejected. Gerson Pandie and Fredik Soru, both 34, were killed by the gunshots of two different firing squads, deep in the eucalyptus woods in Oekabiti district.

Senior generals support Army chief JAKARTA (JP): Senior generals gave their political support to the Army Chief of Staff Gen. Endriartono Sutarto on Saturday for his call to President Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid's not to disband the House of Representatives. In an effort to win support, Endriartono had invited 255 retired Indonesian Military (TNI) generals to lunch at the Army Headquarters. Almost half of them - 124 senior generals - appeared at the gathering.

Indonesian contemporary art developments By Boudewijn Brands JAKARTA (JP): With her dissertation The Ideal of Modern Indonesian Painting, 1900-1995, (see The Jakarta Post of 23-8- 1998), Helena Spanjaard has made an important contribution to the international acceptance and understanding of Indonesian contemporary art. She has visited Indonesia frequently for research and also contributed to a number of publications.