Mahathir returns to rumors, rebukes KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Malaysia's veteran prime minister returned home on Friday to rumors that his finance minister was quitting and rare rebukes over the treatment of his jailed former deputy and his supporters. Barely off the airport tarmac after attending a two-day summit of developing countries in crisis-torn Indonesia, Mahathir Mohamad was denying that he had received any resignation letter from Finance Minister Daim Zainuddin.

NU chairman visits riot-hit Pasuruan PASURUAN, East Java (JP): In an effort to restore its badly dented image after three days of clashes in Pasuruan, the country's largest Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) showed its human face on Friday in the form of a visit by its chairman Hasyim Muzadi to damaged churches and the relatives of a local killed by the police during the disturbances. Hasyim, accompanied by the chairman of the East Java chapter of the NU, Ali Maschan Moesa, the Rev.

China in WTO may shake Southeast Asia KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): China's graduation to World Trade Organization (WTO) membership may prove a double-edged development for its southern neighbors and could stir problems for ethnic Chinese living in southeast Asia. Kunio Yoshihara, a professor of Japan's Kyoto University in residence at the Institute of Malaysian and International Studies, said on Friday China's WTO accession posed dangers to the region but added the threat should not be overdone.

Teater Yuka's 'Bisu-in-Blue' says all we need is love By Lauren Bain JAKARTA (JP): Bisu-in-Blue, the latest work by Jakarta-based Teater Yuka, is loosely based on the West Sumatran legend of Malin Kundang. It has been given the contemporary makeover by sinetron (TV series) actress and ex-rock singer Renny Djajoesman, who is the director, and the general manager of GATRA magazine, Yudhistira ANM Massardi, who is its writer. In the legend, Malin Kundang is a young boy from a poor family.

47 people feared dead after ship founders MAJENE, South Sulawesi (JP): As many as 47 people were missing and feared dead after a passenger ship sank off Majene, some 300 kilometers south of the South Sulawesi capital of Makassar on Sunday, Majene port administrator Albar Yahya said on Friday.

Your appearance is your image JAKARTA (JP): As an executive who is expected to appear and perform professionally, it is obviously important to have a totally professional appearance. The image you build communicates with others, telling them several things about yourself, such as personality, status, knowledge and the skills you possess. One does not need to attire oneself in expensive or branded clothes and accessories to put across an impression of quality.

Ramayana's profit up 6.8% JAKARTA (JP): Publicly-listed department store chain PT Ramayana Lestari Sentosa recorded a 6.8 percent increase in net profit, reaching Rp 56.79 billion (US$5.16 million) in the first quarter of the year as against Rp 53.15 billion in the same period last year. The company attributed the increase to foreign exchange earnings which rose seven fold to Rp 22.19 billion in the first quarter of the year, from Rp 3.3 billion in the corresponding period last year.

'Kancil' to replace 'bajaj' JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso said on Thursday that he would soon discuss with Minister of Trade and Industry Luhut B. Pandjaitan on a planned replacement of the bajaj (three-wheeled motorized vehicle) with four-wheeled Kancil. "As soon as I get the green light from the minister I will proceed with plan," Sutiyoso announced.

Unity Megawati pledges to uphold national unity. Page 2 Railway Railway company launches service through BCA ATM. Page 3 Arroyo President Arroyo's lost (political) adolescence. Page 5 World Cup Germany, Italy close in on final World Cup places. Page 6 APEC APEC calls for new WTO round, China's entry. Page 10 Pointer: Greater role -- Page 10 di bawah imf

"Unfortunately Bung Karno never had time for his children ... They didn't know him well, let alone understand his political ideas ..."

Late paper Due to technical problems, The Jakarta Post arrived late to subscribers in Tanjung Karang, Lampung, and in West Java's towns of Cirebon, Purwakarta and Bandung on Tuesday. We apologize for the inconvenience. -- Publisher

President-legislature row escalates JAKARTA (JP): Tension between the President and legislators escalated further on Friday, with both sides exchanging "threats of action" in relation to the special session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) scheduled for Aug. 1, 2001.

Only 3 entries for Junior Indonesia Open JAKARTA (JP): Only Japan, Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam have confirmed their participation in badminton's Milo Junior Indonesia Open in Surakarta, West Java, this month. Meanwhile Russia, Hong Kong and Canada have yet to submit the names of their players.

IMF: We're not walking out of Indonesia SINGAPORE (AP): The International Monetary Fund has not "walked out of Indonesia" despite the IMF's stalled payments on a loan to the country, a senior official from the fund said Friday. However, the IMF was "anxious" to complete a review of Indonesia's economic performance, IMF First Deputy Managing Director Stanley Fischer said.

RI crushes S. Korea for Sudirman final JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian shuttlers were only one step away from fulfilling their dream of bringing home the Sudirman Cup, after crushing South Korea 3-1 on Friday at the San Pablo Stadium in Seville, Spain. Indonesia last reached the Sudirman Cup final in 1995 but had to bow out to defending champion China. Competing while their country is gripped by political tension, all shuttlers contributed strong performances.

Conservation of historic building in limbo JAKARTA (JP): It has been four years since the historic Candra Naya mansion at Jl. Gajah Mada No. 188 in Central Jakarta was abandoned after conservation work stopped in 1997. The mansion now stands trapped and dwarfed by the towering presence of the half-completed surrounding buildings, on which construction was halted due to the economic crisis.