Brown grass forces change of venue KUALA LUMPUR (AP): Brown grass has forced a change of stadium for men's soccer matches in the Southeast Asian Games. The Shah Alam Stadium on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur has been attacked by grass mites, leaving parts of the pitch brown and too unsightly for television coverage, the Asian Football Confederation and organizers determined Thursday.

Giving the vote to OFWs When the two Houses of Congress finally find the time to buckle down to the task of making laws, after spending much time on inquiries in aid of legislation, they may want to give priority to a measure which would allow absentee voting. The bill, which was certified urgent by the President in her State of the Nation Address, has been pending in Congress for 15 years now.

Recruitment should not solely based on attitude By Pri Notowidigdo JAKARTA (JP): Have you ever asked yourself why somebody in your organization didn't work out? Have you ever wondered what you could have done differently? Have you ever thought about what makes someone the right person to hire? I found myself asking these questions in the midst of advising a client who wanted to terminate an employee.

Overseas trip findings of limited use: Councillors JAKARTA (JP): City councillors who went on a comparative study trip about disaster management in Japan and China officially acknowledged on Friday that the results could not be applied here. Deputy chairman of Commission A for legal and administrative affairs Syarifien Maloko said it was not feasible to build a crisis center like the one in Tokyo, which the councillors visited last week during their seven-day trip.

Regents deny ministers' claim over back pay PURWOKERTO, Central Java (JP): Two regents in Central Java strongly denied on Friday claims from ministers that the central government had distributed back pay for teachers in the regions. Cilacap regent Herry Tabri and Purbalingga regent Triyono Budi Sasongklo said in two separate interviews that they deeply regretted the ministers' claim. "There has been no money from the central government for the teachers' back pay.

World praises East Timor's peaceful poll DILI, East Timor (AFP): East Timorese won world praise on Friday for their peaceful and hugely enthusiastic response to the territory's first free election. Final turnout in Thursday's ballot was 91 percent, the United Nations' chief electoral officer, Carlos Valenzuela. said. From 16 parties and five independent candidates, voters were choosing an 88-member constituent assembly.

NGOs propose Supreme Court audit team JAKARTA (JP): Some non-governmental organizations (NGOs) demanded on Friday that the Supreme Court establish an independent team to investigate the judges, who have handed down controversial verdicts in corruption case trials. They were unable to meet Chief Justice Bagir Manan, who was about to attend a coordination meeting on political and security affairs at the State Secretariat building.

Rebel leader sent back to Manila MANILA (Agencies): A detained leader of the Abu Sayyaf kidnap gang was turning into political football on Friday as provincial officials sent him back to the Philippine capital Manila amid fears of a rebel backlash if his trial goes ahead.

Razali hopeful of Myanmar talks YANGON (Reuters): UN envoy Razali Ismail ended a four day visit to Myanmar this week hopeful of progress in landmark talks between the military government and opposition, the United Nations said in a statement. Razali left Myanmar on Thursday after a series of meetings with pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and the ruling generals refusing to comment on progress in the confidential talks, which have now been continuing in secret for 10 months.

Consumer body to probe Mentari duplication JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI) said it would ask cellular phone operator PT Satelindo to explain the suspected duplication of refill vouchers of the latter's prepaid cellular phone service Mentari. YLKI chairwoman Indah Sukmaningsih said on Friday the foundation would also ask Satelindo how it planned to compensate its customers. "We want to know how this problem occurred.

Inflation to remain high despite drop in prices JAKARTA (JP): The Consumer Price Index fell by 0.21 percent month-on-month in August, the first deflation since September last year, the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) reported on Friday. BPS also said that year-on-year inflation eased to 12.23 percent from 13.04 percent in July, while inflation between January and August of this year reached 7.48 percent.

Insurance industry to grow 30% JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Insurance Council (DAI) projected domestic life insurance business to expand by 30 percent this year due to a better business climate. DAI senior executive Angger P. Yuwono estimated the industry's premium income to increase to Rp 9.4 trillion (US$10.5 billion) in 2001 from Rp 7.3 trillion last year. "Last year, we enjoyed a hefty growth in our business. It will be happening again this year," Angger told reporters in a media conference.

China not economic threat to Southeast Asia: IMF SINGAPORE (AFP): China is not an economic threat to Southeast Asia as the region can find its own ways to be competitive, the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) outgoing deputy chief said in an interview published Friday. "Even if it's true, in some sense, that you can do everything in China, it's also true that the countries of Southeast Asia can find their own niches," IMF deputy director Stanley Fischer told Singapore's Business Times.

Why no official uniforms? From Suara Karya It would be better if President Megawati Soekarnoputri, Minister for Trade and Industry Rini Suwandi and State Minister of Women's Empowerment Sri Rejeki, put on an official uniform while carrying out their state tasks just like the Indonesian Army Women's Corps, the Indonesian Navy Women's Corps and the Indonesian Women's Air Force. Wearing such outfits they would surely command greater respect and authority.

Mega delays visit, sets out agenda for Aceh JAKARTA (JP): President Megawati Soekarnoputri officially postponed on Friday her visit to Aceh planned for Sunday and instructed aides to hasten the judicial process for past rights abuses in the province along with a meaningful dialog in an attempt to resolve the conflict there. The decision to delay the visit was announced after a four- hour limited Cabinet meeting here, which was held to specifically discuss developments in Aceh.

Bung Hatta has broad outlook From Tempo Bung Hatta was a fatherly figure who had a broad outlook, was steadfast and displayed self-control. It was proven when he resigned from the vice presidency, as he was in disagreement with Bung Karno, the first president of the Republic of Indonesia. He then provided his children with a good education. His daughters Meuthia, Gemala and Halida respectively have all completed their postgraduate education.

Operation to preserve park PALU, Central Sulawesi: Central Sulawesi Police will on Sept. 3 launch a special operation to protect and preserve the Lore Lindu Maleo National Park from illegal loggers and squatters, according to a police officer. Spokesman for Central Sulawesi Police Adj. Sr. Comr. Agus Sugianto said the launching of the operation was in response to the park management's request officially submitted some time ago.

PDI-P PDI-P to pursue Mega's proposal for commission. Page 2 Trip Trip findings of limited use: Councillors Page 3 Army Army under Gen. Endriartono growing more powerful. Page 5 Tennis Agassi passes U.S. Open tense endurance test. Page 7 Jakarta Jakarta becomes 'city of hell' during occupation. Page 8 Rupiah BI governor says rupiah will continue to strengthen. Page 11 OPIC deal Govt urged to explain OPIC deal to the public. Page 12

On New Order cronies With regard to the letter published in Rakyat Merdeka which was reprinted by The Jakarta Post on Aug. 28, 2001 under the title Death sentence for Tommy, I would like to take the liberty of correcting Attilla Graziani Sjafei of Bandung. I am in no way a fan of the New Order but I think that it is important to keep the facts correct in regard to Indonesia and Indonesian's trying to understand what is and what has been going on.

Jakarta a 'city of hell' during occupation By Ida Indawati Khouw Jakarta has a tragic history of being the center of internment camps during the Japanese occupation. The final of 85 articles on Batavia looks into the issue. JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian students have been taught about Japanese cruelty during their occupation of the country from 1942 to 1945. But few realize that the occupying forces once made Jakarta a center for prisoners of war and civilian hostages.

BI governor says rupiah will continue to strengthen JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia Governor Sjahril Sabirin expressed optimism on Friday that the rupiah would continue to strengthen amid the improving political situation and growing confidence in the economy. "The possibility for the rupiah to strengthen is still open," Sjahril said. The rupiah closed higher at Rp 8,860 late on Friday compared to Rp 8,925 on Thursday.

Musician brings innovation to Gamelan JAKARTA (JP): Now, it's the turn for music lovers at the Third Indonesian Art Summit. After four exquisite dance performances brought to the stage by renowned local and international artists, the latest piece of music by Balinese musician-composer I Nyoman Windha will create a unique atmosphere at the festival. For two consecutive days, on Sept. 1 and Sept.

Drug dealers shot in Bali DENPASAR, Bali (JP): Bali police officers shot two alleged drugs dealers at two different locations on Thursday and seized a total of 2.5 kilograms of marijuana from the suspects, an officer said on Friday. Denpasar Police Narcotics Unit chief First Insp.

More to be made homeless JAKARTA (JP): After demolishing about 300 makeshift houses in Marunda and evicting the residents, the North Jakarta Mayoralty announced on Friday that it planned to demolish more than 500 makeshift houses along the flood canal in Penjaringan area. "The demolition will be conducted soon after we inform the residents," North Jakarta Mayor Soebagio told reporters after meeting Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso at City Hall.

ASEAN heads refocus on economy MANILA: The new presidents of the most politically turbulent states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of the Philippines and President Megawati Soekarnoputri of Indonesia -- followed one another in visiting their Southeast Asian neighbors recently. President Arroyo visited Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore. President Megawati visited Manila, then went to Singapore, Brunei and Malaysia.

New S'pore radio broadcasts from RI SINGAPORE (Reuters): An independent Singapore radio news service takes to the airwaves on Friday, broadcasting via Indonesia to provide an alternative to the city state's tightly- controlled media. Singapore Independent News Service, or Sinews, the brainchild of a group of social activists, will cover the whole spectrum of local news. It will broadcast through independent Indonesian news service Radio 68H.

Economics over politics JP/5/INQUIRER Economics over politics MANILA: The new presidents of the most politically turbulent states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of the Philippines and President Megawati Soekarnoputri of Indonesia -- followed one another in visiting their Southeast Asian neighbors recently. President Arroyo visited Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore. President Megawati visited Manila, then went to Singapore, Brunei and Malaysia.

JAKARTA (JP): One cannot help but applaud the agenda Minister Purnomo has set for himself and for his Ministry. His agenda, which he described in The Jakarta Post of Aug. 21, will require an all out effort for the Ministry. Restructuring both the state oil firm Pertamina and the electricity company PLN, and to provide the direction needed by these two important state enterprises is a full time job in itself.

The same old mentality Although teachers had not staged a protest since May last year, nobody was surprised when these educators were suddenly back in the news last week. As usual their grievances soon caught the attention of the public. This shows that the majority of Indonesians still pay them great respect and the public does not to want to see the teachers mistreated. Wasn't the word guru introduced by Hindu followers here many centuries ago, meaning spiritual teacher?