Premium income Correction: Total premium in life insurance in the 15th paragraph of "Life is positive -- if you're prepared" appeared in our Focus Issue on Sunday Post's Aug. 5 edition should be Rp 7.15 trillion in 2000, an increase of 33 percent from Rp 5.37 trillion in 1999. The figure stated in the story was for the country's total insurance industry. -- Editor

Everything old is new again body treatments SUKABUMI, West Java (JP): Life seems more hectic than ever. More and more people are balancing careers, family and friends in a seemingly constant juggling act. One of the consequences of stressful modern life, often played out in a heavily polluted environment, is damaged skin. While many people place an emphasis on physical health and beauty, it seems that their skin is still not being properly cared for.

Military impostor From Pikiran Rakyat On July 28, my sister and I had an unpleasant encounter with a man claiming to be from a certain military command (Koramil) in Bandung. He requested Rp 50,000 as a donation for constructing a freedom fighters' monument. Initially he was very polite and often referred to our late father. When we refused, explaining that as far as we know the military never goes around pressing the public for donations for their activities, he became angry.

Grace Siregar's art goes from the exquisite to excrement By Yusuf Susilo Hartono JAKARTA (JP): Grace Siregar is beginning to shine artistically. Though not yet as well known as her fellow Batak painter Dolorosa Sinaga, Grace is one of the most acclaimed woman artists in the country, taking part in numerous important contemporary art events. Born in Tarutung, North Sumatra, on April 16, 1968, Grace studied painting with Ahmad on Bangka Island in South Sumatra from the ages of six to 14.

Police question Tutut and Titiek on fugitive Tommy JAKARTA (JP): The police questioned two daughters of former president Soeharto in connection with the case of their brother, Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra, who was still at large on Saturday night. Tommy is a suspect who allegedly masterminded a series of bombings in the city and the murder of a Supreme Court Judge, Syafiuddin Kartasasmita last month.

No longer just for better vision By Chris Tumelap JAKARTA (JP): How many pair of spectacles do you have? That's probably the kind of question you would ask a person who wears glasses nowadays. Not "how long have you worn spectacles or how bad is your eyesight?" The main reason for wearing eyeglasses is no longer about better vision. It's now more about standing out in a crowd. "Hey, they're cool glasses, they must be Loewe, or are they Prada?' Yeah, that's more like it.

Malaysian linked to Jakarta blast: Paper KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Indonesian police have arrested a 26-year- old Malaysian man over the bombing of two churches and a shopping mall in Jakarta which left dozens injured, reports said Saturday. The unidentified man had allegedly been waging a jihad in Indonesia over the past year by joining attacks against Christians in Ambon in the Maluku islands, The Star newspaper said.

Think twice before you choose Cesarean By Injil Abu Bakar BOSTON, Massachusetts (JP): It is said that some pregnant women and their husbands attempt to "fix" the date of their child's birth for a particularly auspicious date. Probably the best means to assure an early birth is through cesarean section, or c-section as it is popularly known.

Quick facts on cesarean JAKARTA (JP): It was once mistakenly believed that the word "cesarean" originated from the surgical birth of Julius Caesar, but the myth was revised later because his mother Aurelia is reputed to have been alive when her son's army invaded Britain. In earlier times, according to records from U.S.

'Jendela-Jendela' no vision of clarity Jendela-Jendela (Windows); By Fira Basuki; PT Grasindo, Jakarta, 2001; 154 pp JAKARTA (JP): Do not judge a book by its cover, the old cliche goes. But in the case of Jendela-Jendela, do not judge it by the blurbs on the back cover. The latter were written by noted and respected authors Arswendo Atmowiloto and Sapardi Djoko Damono. Both were surprisingly polite and gave comments more positive than this virtually unreadable book deserved.

In search of a clean and bold attorney general JAKARTA (JP): Concerned about the delayed appointment of an attorney general, observers have called on President Megawati Soekarnoputri to pick a figure who is clean and nonpartisan. They said on Saturday that the right choice in attorney general would be a crucial sign that the new President intended to live up to her commitment to eliminate corruption, a delicate job at which her predecessors failed at the cost their credibility.

Bush invites Megawati to Washington D.C. JAKARTA (JP): United States President George W. Bush has invited President Megawati Soekarnoputri to Washington next month for talks on how the U.S. could help the new Indonesian government, a senior U.S. official said here on Saturday. U.S. Trade Representative Robert B. Zoellick said that Megawati graciously accepted the invitation. "The visit would be the only meeting Bush will have at the time of the United Nations' General Assembly meeting.

Laksmi Pamuntjak cooks up success By David Eyerly JAKARTA (JP): Cool jazz fills the air of Aksara bookstore, a beautiful study in minimalist design in Kemang, South Jakarta, that places the focus on the books. Laksmi Pamuntjak approaches and offers me a hand, directing me upstairs to the cafe W16. It is owned by restaurateur William Wongso and, with the furniture gallery downstairs, is part of the integrated concept of Aksara.

Rocking the Casbah with the capital's latest food trend By Maria Kegel JAKARTA (JP): A Jakarta resident does not have to travel to Lebanon or Turkey to savor its delicious cuisine. Look no further than Central and South Jakarta, where several restaurants featuring food from the areas are taking the capital by storm. In the past year alone, Jakarta has seen the appearance of four new restaurants that serve the two cuisines.

Government must heed rocky road ahead: Hamzah JAKARTA (JP): The new government may be off to a flying start but it will have to deal carefully with potholes in its path ahead, Vice President Hamzah Haz said on Saturday. "Ahead of us is a bumpy road and we will slide into the ravine if we take the wrong path," he said. Hamzah visited Muslim cleric Munzir Tamam in Klender, East Jakarta on Saturday.

Body piercing penetrates the mainstream Human beings have long experimented with different ways of decorating their bodies. While many of these practices remain nothing more than historical footnotes, body piercing now seems to be more widespread than ever. This ancient tribal rite has become a new fashion trend around the world, including Jakarta. The Jakarta Post's Maria Endah Hulupi and contributor Nuraini Razak examine the attraction of the practice -- and the dangers.

Making an impression with batik for all occassions By Muara Bagdja JAKARTA (JP): Long-sleeved batik shirts came into their own as formal attire for men on the level of the business suit during the heyday of then Jakarta governor Ali Sadikin in the 1970s. But batik is flexible and can also be worn for daily use. Men can wear short-sleeved cotton batik, similar to Hawaiian shirts, for casual times. A collarless batik is even more understated in style.

Arroyo in vote push MANILA (AFP): Philippine President Gloria Arroyo will lobby Congress to pass a law allowing the five million Filipinos working overseas to vote, a presidential palace statement said Saturday. It is hoped that the law allowing absentee voting will be in place in time for the next presidential elections in May, 2004, the statement said.

Filipino hostages rescued ZAMBOANGA, Philippines (AFP): Philippine soldiers have rescued three Filipinos from 21 hostages held by Abu Sayyaf guerrillas on the island of Basilan, the local military commander said Saturday. Colonel Hermogenes Esperon, head of one of the task forces on the southern island, said elite marines recovered the three men late Friday after a series of clashes with the rebels on the outskirts of Basilan's capital Isabela.

Typhoon lashes Vietnam HANOI (AFP): Tens of thousands of people were left homeless and at least one killed Saturday as Typhoon Usagi lashed Vietnam's north-central coast with high winds and torrential rain, officials said. In the worst-hit province of Ha Tinh, one person was killed in Ky Anh district and 5,821 homes destroyed, according to preliminary reports. The shack-like dwellings were home to tens of thousands.

Vietnam eyes nuke plant HANOI (AFP): Vietnam Prime Minister Phan Van Khai has ordered a pre-feasibility study for the construction of the communist state's first nuclear power station, an official daily reported Saturday. Khai instructed Industry Minister Dang Vu Chu to complete the study by the end of year, the information ministry's Van Hoa newspaper said. Even though Vietnam is a producer of both oil and gas, the communist authorities have long wanted to develop a nuclear energy program.

A tasty mix: Middle Eastern food JAKARTA (JP): Borders blur when it comes to finding where the flavors of Turkish and Lebanese food originate. Culinary expert Laksmi Pamuntjak noted that both Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines had similar roots and that sometimes the same ingredients and herbs could be detected.

A journey to Surakarta -- it's nice and easy Text and photos by Kartika Bagus C. SURAKARTA, Central Java (JP): The city of Surakarta, or Solo, is a seat of nobility and culture in Java, offering visitors glimpses of a bygone era when the palace held sway over the area, ruling with elegance and refinement. For those visiting the city, there are numerous royal events, festivals and exhibitions on offer.

Going back to university halfway around the world ATHENS, Ohio (JP): Education is a precious thing for people from a developing country, especially one like Indonesia which has suffered so much instability following the Soeharto era. And studying in the U.S. is many people's dream, including mine. So, here I am, in the middle of Ohio, pursuing a master's degree in fine arts, specializing in international film and television studies.

Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Painting, Ceramics Paul Husner, F. Widayanto, Galeri Minima - Maxima, Jl. Sultan Iskandar Muda 88D, Arteri Pondok Indah (Phone: 7207171, 7209009), 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., until Aug. 23. * Painting by Alfi, Galeri Lontar, Jl. Utan Kayu 68H, East Jakarta (Phone: 8573388), 8 p.m., until Aug. 23. * Photo: The Long and Winding Road East Timor, by Eddy Hasby, Bentara Budaya Jakarta, Jl. Palmerah Selatan no. 17, Central Jakarta (Phone: 5483008 ext.

Have we lost our patriotic feeling? Indonesia turns 56 on Friday, a coming of age that has been hampered by trouble. Is Independence Day still a reason for pride for our people, particularly the young? The Jakarta Post's reporters Ivy Susanti and Hera Diani, as well as Ainur R. Sophiaan, Israr Ardiansyah and Yuli Tri Suwarni find out. JAKARTA (JP): In his last speech as president, on Aug. 17, 1966, Sukarno warned the country's youth never to forget the past.

Tommy Police question Tutut and Titiek on fugitive Tommy. Page 2

U.S. warns citizens of RI threat JAKARTA (AP): The U.S. government has called on its citizens in Indonesia to take precautions after it received information that extremists may be planning to target American interests in the country. The U.S. Embassy in Jakarta said on Saturday that extremists may particularly target U.S. government facilities, and could also extend to U.S. tourists and tour groups. The U.S. consul said in a statement, which is also available at the U.S.

Tips on establishing your online presence By Vishnu K. Mahmud JAKARTA (JP): Neither the NASDAQ crash nor the death of the various dotcoms have decreased the market enthusiasm for web hosting and design. More personal homepages are set up as new users get "wired", meaning more people are using the Internet and more consumers are browsing the World Wide Web for information, which is excellent for the internet communication strategies of corporations. Those that are online, that is.

Making a meal of Surakarta's many culinary delicacies SURAKARTA, Central Java (JP): A visit to Surakarta would not be complete without sampling the many food specialties of the city. To this end there are restaurants serving every type of traditional food the city has to offer, from nasi liwet (rice boiled in coconut milk) and nasi rawon (rice served with beef stew) to thengkleng (goat on the bone cooked with curry).

It's all-Indonesian final in men's doubles badminton JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia secured the men's doubles title at the 2001 Badminton World Grand Prix Finals in Brunei Darussalam as Candra Wijaya and Tony Gunawan will take on their compatriots Halim Haryanto and Sigit Budiarto in an all-Indonesia final.

Optical stores enjoying a growing domestic market By I. Christianto JAKARTA (JP): There is a greater demand for eyewear in Indonesia today as a growing number of people are becoming aware of the importance of eye care. According to the secretary-general of the Association of Indonesian Optical Stores (Gapopin) Maman Rukmanda, 20 percent of Indonesians develop vision problems.