On the Shelves Memoar Sobron Aidit -- Gajah Di Pelupuk Mata (1) (Sobron Aidit's Memoirs -- The Beam in One's Own Eye 1); By Sobron Aidit; Grasindo, Jakarta, 2002; viii + 270 pp Even now, what really happened on Sept. 30, 1965, a tragedy that led to the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives (and perhaps more than a million) in a massacre given the go ahead by the Soeharto regime, is still a mystery, and events connected to it are still pertinent and interesting.

Still Playing Eliana Eliana (Drama, 83 minutes). Starring Rachel Sayidina, Jajang C. Noer, Marcella Zalianty, Arswendi Nasution, Henidar Amroe. Directed by Riri Riza. Indonesian language. This third film from Riri is a raw and grim tale about a love- hate relationship between mother and daughter. Eliana (Rachel) flees to Jakarta to escape an arranged marriage. Five years later, her widowed mother (Jajang) arrives with plane tickets to take Eliana home.

Madison Avenue: Dance music step by boring step Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Clubbers around the world know how to react when they hear this opening song line: "You and me we had an opportunity ....

Obin's House: Keeping true to tradition Maria Endah Hulupi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Situated in the shady Teluk Betung area of Central Jakarta, cloth designer Josephine W. Komara's boutique and house, the Bin House, is a reflection of the typical Menteng houses of the 1930s. The cars of clients and guests are neatly parked in front of the gate. The front garden is filled with leafy plants that shade the terrace and also provide a natural barrier from prying eyes looking in from the street.

West Timor: Safety in numbers on a great trip Filomena Reiss, Contributor, Kupang, West Timor Timor has long been a five-letter word, enough to scare away the most intrepid traveler. Even though the troubles in the east have largely been settled, this beautiful island is still rarely visited due to residual fear. Some countries, such as Australia, continue to post travel warnings for the area because of the attacks on UN personnel in the border area, especially Atambua.

PALYJA to double investment to improve clean water supply PT PAM Lyonaise Jaya (PALYJA), a subsidiary of ONDEO Services of France, will more than double its investment to improve and expand the supply of clean water in western Jakarta.

Sujiwo Tejo: Sense from a 'crazy' puppeteer Lie Hua, Contributor, Jakarta Dalang Edan (Crazy Puppeteer); By Ki H. Sujiwo Tejo; Aksara Karunia, 2002; xxi + 488 pp; Rp 50,000 Sujiwo Tejo is well-known to fans of shadow puppet performances. A young puppet master, he shares with the public his understanding of contemporary events in Indonesia as viewed through his eyes as a puppeteer. The world of the shadow puppet play is an invented cosmos in which our real world is reflected.

How would you do to stop student brawls? Monique Natalia, Contributor, Jakarta In some parts of Jakarta, stones flying and kids running around waving machetes and knives are not unusual sights. This is how bad student brawls have become. Six mall-goers try to find a solution to this seemingly never-ending problem.

Madison Avenue fails to set style in Jakarta concert Hera Diani The Jakarta Post Jakarta Clubbers around the world know how to react when they hear this opening song line: "You and me we had an opportunity ....

BRI 14040 offers quick and easy banking transactions by phone Executives, professionals, academics and businesspeople who are always on the move can now make banking transactions by phone anywhere and anytime through Bank BRI, Indonesia's only bank which has offices in almost every town across the country.

Bank Rakyat Indonesia BRI 14040 offers quick and easy banking transactions by phone Executives, professionals, academics and businesspeople who are always on the move can now make banking transactions by phone anywhere and anytime through Bank BRI, Indonesia's only bank which has offices in almost every town across the country.

Penalty 'king' Lee sends Korea to semis John Crean and Tim Witcher, Agence France-Presse, Gwangju, South Korea South Korea's penalty block 'king' Lee Woon-jae, whose spot kick save from Joaquin knocked Spain out of the World Cup, said after the match here Saturday that he was confident of saving 'at least one of their penalties." The quarter-final clash ended in a 5-3 penalty shoot out win for World Cup co-hosts South Korea after 120 minutes of play finished goalless.

Retreat islands in Singapore's backyard Fadli Contributor Batam The hotel business, including the resort hotels on Batam and the nearby island of Bintan, has been booming in the past three years despite a setback in the hotel industry in the other parts of the country. While many hotels are struggling to survive amid the downfall in the number of foreign tourists, the hotel industry on the two islands is doing quite well.

Fake branded items: Does it matter? Grace Emelia, Contributor, Jakarta Giorgio Armani would probably laugh again were he to visit Jakarta and be given fake Armani jeans or T-shirts, the way he did when he visited Moscow. In his recent visit to the Russian capital, where cheap clothing bearing famous brand names can easily be found, he was given a pair of fake Armani jeans and sunglasses by a local television reporter. Armani was not angry.

Bali resorts are heading for a more promising year Rita A.Widiadana The Jakarta Post Nusa Dua, Bali The word "resort" always conjures up a picture of a serene and integrated holiday site surrounded by white sandy beaches or a lush mountainous panorama where you can escape from your hectic life in the city and take a deep breath to rejuvenate your body and mind. And Bali offers dozens or maybe hundreds of such resorts across the island, from beach areas to secluded sites high up in the mountains.

Students end hunger strike INDONESIA: Seven students grouped in the West Papuan Students' National Front (FNMP) gave up their hunger strike on Saturday due to health concerns, but vowed to boycott the 2004 general election in the troubled province should the government fail to reveal the truth behind the killing of separatist Papuan leader Theys Hiyo Eluay and hold a referendum on self-determination.

Megawati returns to political debate Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta President Megawati Soekarnoputri chose to remain silent about the many awaiting problems upon arrival at the country on Saturday, from a two-week overseas trip to Europe. Amid questions of the importance of her trip, none of the presidential entourage was sent to talk to awaiting journalists at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in East Jakarta.

Tourists yes... but environment first Dean Yates Reuters Selemadeg Kaja, Bali Staring at the terraced green rice fields that drop away into the distance, Putu Mahardika ponders how to tap the tourist trade on Indonesia's Bali island without harming his village's pristine environment.

PALYJA to double investment to improve clean water supply PT PAM Lyonaise Jaya (PALYJA), a subsidiary of ONDEO Services of France, will more than double its investment to improve and expand the supply of clean water in western Jakarta.

Taking a break from oppressive Jakarta Sudibyo M. Wiradji Contributor Jakarta With serene and peaceful ambience, resorts surrounding Jakarta witness regular customers wishing to spend their weekends or holiday breaks. Staying in a resort has become an alternative getaway for Jakartans, especially revelers wishing to avoid the hustle bustle of the city. Most of the retreats are situated outside the bustling metropolis but not too far away. It only takes a few hours drive to reach the sites.

PALYJA to double investment to improve clean water supply PT PAM Lyonaise Jaya (PALYJA), a subsidiary of ONDEO Services of France, will more than double its investment to improve and expand the supply of clean water in western Jakarta.

Good java boils down to preparation and freshness Adam Diamond lives and breathes coffee. It's all part of his work as a store operations consultant for Starbucks Coffee International. With Arabica sourced from the world's major producing centers of Indonesia, Latin America and Africa (Robusta is often used for instant coffee and as essence, but also drunk as a specialty coffee by some Indonesians), the American is on hand to help ensure that the best product reaches consumers.

Starbucks' stirs up brewing coffee culture Bruce Emond, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta It's an occurrence that is nothing less than heaven-sent for those of us whose kitchen counters groan under an assortment of our favorite brews (a Japanese brand of Toraja, vanilla hazelnut, some Balinese and that soulful indulgence of Illy espresso currently make up the collection of yours truly).

City celebrates anniversary in style Ahmad Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Thousands of Jakartans celebrated their city's 475th anniversary cheerfully over the weekend, forgetting, just for a day, the many serious problems facing the city. Crowds of people began entering Ancol Dreamland Park in North Jakarta in the early morning as it was declared free entry to all.

IMF approves $358m loan tranche to RI Dow Jones, Washington The International Monetary Fund (IMF) agreed Friday to disburse US$358 million of its latest loan tranche to the country, as part of a $5 billion loan program aimed at prodding the country into undertaking reforms that would strengthen its fragile economy. The IMF said they were impressed by the country's economic performance, including the rising value of its currency, the rupiah.

Jakarta, city of of unemployed and brave The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Life in any city can be mad, but perhaps it is the maddest of all in Jakarta. "It is no longer nice to live here," says Irawan, a 43-year- old employee who was born in the capital. Many of the millions of Jakarta inhabitants can identify with Irawan. Like many residents, Irawan has to endure sitting in a cramped public bus on the way to his office on Jl. Jend.

Mahathir withdraws resignation MALAYSIA: Malaysia's veteran Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, having offered to quit all posts in his party and the ruling coalition, has withdrawn his offer, his deputy Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said on Saturday. "We took quite a long time. And after that, he agreed that I announce that he will continue to hold his posts," Abdullah announced to cheers from his party's annual assembly.

PALYJA to double investment to improve clean water supply PT PAM Lyonaise Jaya (PALYJA), a subsidiary of ONDEO Services of France, will more than double its investment to improve and expand the supply of clean water in western Jakarta.

Yogyakarta library is a labor of love Cynthia Webb, Contributor, Sumberan, Yogyakarta The city of Yogyakarta will soon be presented with an incomparable gift, but it comes as a result of a tragic tale of lost love. Taman Bacaan Natsuko Shioya is a library built as a memorial to a 23-year-old Japanese woman who died tragically in Sapporo, on the island of Hokkaido, Japan, in August 1997.

Helena Kennedy sticks to her principles Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Browsing the curriculum vitae of Baroness Helena Kennedy, you cannot help but be impressed, if not a overwhelmed. She holds so many titles, positions and achievements in a wide range of areas that it is a bit daunting to address her.