Please don't use state "apparatuses" when something like state "agencies", "bodies" or similar is meant, as the word doesn't work in English (can't translate aparat directly from Indonesian), and is both ugly and cumbersome. Thanks.

Slank: Going strong by going it alone Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta It was hard not to laugh in a recent interview with drummer Bimbim from rock group Slank, on the sidelines of vocalist Kaka's 28th birthday party at Hard Rock Cafe. It was not because Bimbim cracked a joke. I suddenly remembered a comic book written by a friend of mine a few years back. As a Slank-hater, he turned Bimbim and vocalist Kaka into a gay couple who then died in the throes of passion.

From Neraca The corruption case involving nonbudgetary funds of the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) allegedly misused by Akbar Tanjung, general chairman of the Golkar Party and House of Representatives speaker, is now becoming murky as those involved seem to be forgetful people.

Keep your neck straight with proper posture or Proper care and habits will alleviate neck pain Maria Endah Hulupi The Jakarta Post Jakarta Renita often experienced discomfort in her neck, a pain she often ignored as she thought that the stiffness would eventually go away by itself. She worked for nine hours at the office, most of her time was spent in front of her computer. On her way home, she had to spend some one-and-a-half-hours at the wheel.

----------------------------------------------- No Regrets: Experiences of a Presidential Spokesman By Wimar Witoelar Equinox Publishing (Asia), Jakarta, 2002 200 pp ------------------------------------------ With so many behind-the-scenes type of books available to give the Indonesian public a peek into the daily lives and activities of presidents, prime ministers and other prominent personalities abroad, it is rather odd, and disappointing, that the same cannot be said for Indonesians at the...

It takes professional skills to be a physical trainer The Jakarta Post, Jakarta In the first few sessions at the gym, Heidi still had some excuses not to exercise to the limit. "You know, it's my first time back to the gym again after two months off. So, it's normal if I can't do all of the sets, right?" she said to her instructor after a session at the Jakarta Hilton International's Life Spa & Fitness Center. But now, after a month, her grace period is over.

Premarital checkup gives peace of mind to lovebirds Maria Endah Hulupi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Getting hitched marks one's life cycle, but marriage can provide trouble if both couples fail to have a clean bill of health. A few days after she got married, Yanti felt discomfort in her private parts. It was itching and she suffered from a sort of burning. She noticed a red spot in the area and yellowish vaginal discharge. She decided to pay a visit to a dermatologist.

How does globalization affect your life? Monique Natalia, Contributor, Jakarta Living in this "global village" we are continually exposed to the impact of globalization. Is it actually more westernization or, more specifically, Americanization? What does globalization have in store for Jakarta's youth? The Jakarta Post asks six young residents of the capital how they view globalization and how it will affect their lives.

Mobile phones: More than just basic needs Venerdi Handojo, Contributor, Jakarta The first time I lost my mobile phone, I thought to myself, "Oh well, it's quite common for a Jakartan to lose a cell phone." Most of my friends, after all, have lost their cell phones at least once. I've already prepared myself for the possibility of this scenario. I've written down all the numbers listed in my cell phone. Then, with the remaining credit left on my Visa card, I purchased a new one.

Peugeot 307 Riding a car that turns heads Primastuti Handayani The Jakarta Post Jakarta Speeding in a Peugeot 307 XS Sporty really turns heads. Not only because it is a brand new car, which was just launched on March 1, but mostly due to its sporty and elegant design. The stylish eye-look headlight design adds to its uniqueness, helped by the wide windshield and curved hood.

Designers a match for wedding gowns Muara Bagdja, Contributor, Jakarta It wasn't until the end of the 1980s that it became easier to get Western-style wedding gowns of a good design and quality in this country. Until then, a bride-to-be had to settle for the gowns stocked with bridal houses or beauty parlors, most of which resembled costumes from children's fairy tales.

RI awaits approval to meet terrorist suspects Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesian Police and Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials are seeking assistance from the Philippine authorities in a bid to obtain more facts and to provide legal protection for three Indonesian citizens who have been arrested for alleged involvement in terrorism in the Philippines, with a reported connection to al-Qaeda.

Daddy's Girl With her father, Paul, looking on, Stella McCartney did herself proud in her second Paris collection for her own label, showing designs that critics acclaimed as young, sporty and original. Page 13 Spiritual Needs Women, children and men from Bali predominate in in the rich pastels on paper of Rudi Mukahar. The artist's intent in his works, now on show in Jakarta, is to evoke the human spirit. Page 14

Asia's bad loans: It's time for a reality check Jack Rodman, Ernst & Young, The Asahi Shimbun, Tokyo A recent report from Ernst and Young's Asia Pacific Financial Solutions Group suggesting that Asia's nonperforming loan (NPL) problem is much worse than generally perceived has triggered a wave of objections from the region's central banks, national asset management agencies and other institutions.

Writer Umar Kayam dead at 69 Tantri Yuliandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Glaring sun could not hide the grief felt by hundreds of friends and relatives at the Karet Bivak cemetery in Central Jakarta who came to pay their last respects to one of the country's most prolific writers Umar Kayam who passed away early on Saturday morning due to intestinal bleeding and a liver disorder.

Rudi evokes the human spirit in pastels Pavan Kapoor, Contributor, Jakarta Rudi Mukahar's artwork is a reflection of the mind of a man with simple ideas, which he attempts to express in detailed perfection. Even in appearance he looks intriguingly staid and straightforward in comparison to most of his counterparts and he could easily pass for someone working in a government office or some other streamlined organization.

A succulent serving of milk-fed veal You too can prepare an exquisite veal dish in your own kitchen and enjoy its tender and juicy texture. Chef Eric Guilbert from Riva bistro and bar at The Park Lane, Jakarta, shares his secret to perfectly cook a milk-fed veal chop. It's not as difficult as the veal's beautiful presentation would make you think. It has an inviting brown color on both sides but still maintains its pale pink color and flavor on the inside.

BIN, FBI hold talks in Bali INDONESIA: Officials of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) held a meeting with leaders of Indonesia's National Intelligence Agency (BIN) in Jimbaran, Bali, on Saturday. But there was no information on the results of the tightly- guarded meeting, as all participants left the room at the Ritz- Carlton Hotel in Jimbaran through a secret exit.

Marlev, Rony reach Swiss Open semis The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The only two Indonesians left at the Swiss Open men's singles, Marlev Mainaky and Rony Agustinus, made their way to the semifinals after winning their matches at Basel's St. Jakobshalle on Friday. Also cruising to the semifinals was the Indonesian men's pairing of Bambang Suprianto and Sigit Budiarto, also the sole surviving Indonesia pair.

Gradually evolving into one of basic needs Max Kelling, Contributor, Jakarta The first time I lost my mobile phone, I thought to myself, "Oh well, it's quite common for a Jakartan to lose a cell phone." Most of my friends, after all, have lost their cell phones at least once. I've already prepared myself for the possibility of this scenario. I've written down all the numbers listed in my cell phone. Then, with the remaining credit left on my Visa card, I purchased a new one.

Friends turn out to honor Umar Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Several of his peers said on Saturday that the death of Umar Kayam, 69, inflected a great loss on the ailing nation, recalling that he worked in a broad range of activities that enriched Indonesian culture. "I lost a friend who I used to talk with," former education and culture minister Fuad Hasan after attending the burial of Umar at Karet public cemetery here.

Local operators heading for '2.5G' technology Tantri Yuliandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Voice transmission is still the darling of Indonesian mobile phone users, while data transmission and applications over the mobile system have yet to gain enough momentum for local operators to worry about it. But as the rest of the world plunges head-first to embrace the third generation of mobile services, or 3G, it would seem that Indonesia -- or at least the operators -- would refuse to be left behind.

The board of directors of PT Bina Media Tenggara and the management and staff of The Jakarta Post wish to express our deepest condolences on the passing of Indonesia's foremost literary figure Umar Kayam in Jakarta on Saturday, March 16, 2002. May God Almighty bless and keep him at His side.

JIS gets into festive mood for 50th anniversary Viva Goldner, Contributor, Jakarta The Jakarta International School celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, with the aim of connecting more than 20,000 past and present students and their families, staff and teachers for "2002: A JIS Odyssey" -- a year-long salute to the school's colorful history and bright future.

Terrorists targeted, not Muslims: FBI I Wayan Juniartha, The Jakarta Post, Nusa Dua, Bali Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Robert S Mueller restated here on Friday night that U.S. security efforts in operation in various countries around the world, were directed at terrorism and not Islam. "We understand that this is a war on terrorists, persons who kill women and children.

Young start to scale down wedding day Maria Endah Hulupi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Arranging a traditional wedding ceremony is the dream of many, the upholding of custom and an auspicious blessing for the couple's future. Putting on that grand wedding, whether it is traditional or modern, is a matter of pride, not only for the married couple, but also for their parents, to show that their children are marrying well and that they have not forgotten their roots.

Charm of Koni Herawati's ceramics and painting Susi Andrini Contributor Jakarta Koni Herawati may not be a household name, but she is quite popular indeed in the artistic circles of Yogyakarta and Bali. Though in her forties, she looks about ten years younger, despite the prominence of her glasses. Bright in her gait and calm in her attitude, she looks rather modest in her daily appearance, in fact.

Supremacy of law must be upheld From Rakyat Merdeka The Attorney General need not hesitate about upholding the supremacy of the law in conjunction with the eradication of corruption, collusion and nepotism (KKN), particularly in the case of Buloggate II. There is no reason for Attorney General MA Rachman to revoke the detention warrant for Akbar Tandjung, even though the Golkar party has asked him to do so.

BPPT plane-leasing costs nation dear From Kompas When the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT) was headed by Prof.Habibie, the agency, which had a central office at Jl.Thamrin, Jakarta, bought six brand-new CASA series-200 planes from the factory.

A Thousand Fireflies in Manhattan By Umar Kayam The couple, an Indonesian man and an American woman, were lounging on the sofa in the woman's apartment, Marno with a glass of scotch in his hand, and Jane with a martini. Both were staring out the window. "Look Marno," the woman said, "the moon is purple." "Jane, you don't expect me to believe that, do you?" Marno asked skeptically. "Why of course I do, honey. Say it.

Indomitable Dewi overcomes all obstacles Emmy Fitri, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Belying the stereotype of a delicate and demure Japanese woman, Ratna Sari Dewi Sukarno shows her true colors. She is tough, defiant and ambitious, a woman who declares proudly that her achievements came through hard work and persistence. There is a formality about her as she sits in her Central Jakarta home, a no-nonsense, all-business attitude.

Lombok gets its good name back Pariama Hutasoit, Contributor, Senggigi, Lombok Lombok has always been compared to Bali, as though it is the beautiful but neglected step-sister, the Cinderella of the Indonesian travel world. Travel brochures breathlessly describe it as "the way Bali used to be", or "From Lombok, we can see Bali, but from Bali we cannot see Lombok", a reference to how the minority Hindu population on the island has also built some magnificent temples.

Charm of Koni Herawati's ceramics and paintings Susi Andrini, Contributor, Jakarta Koni Herawati may not be a household name, but she is quite popular indeed in the artistic circles of Yogyakarta and Bali. Though in her forties, she looks about ten years younger, despite the prominence of her glasses. Bright in her gait and calm in her attitude, she looks rather modest in her daily appearance, in fact.