Islamic touch in Trisutji's music Maria Endah Hulupi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta As a child, she knew she was blessed with music talent, a prowess that she sharpened during her teenage years. Her toil and determination paid. Now, Trisutji Kamal has made a name for herself as a pianist and composer of both national and international classical music scenes. "I have composed music since I was seven. I remembered playing my own compositions for my mother. "It was a long time ago.

Bridging the investment gap in Asia Motomichi Ikawa, Executive Vice President Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), World Bank Group For Asia, the last decade has seen its share of drama. An unprecedented boom in flows of foreign direct investment (FDI), an engine of economic growth, quickly spiraled downward during the crisis of the late 1990s. The region has since recovered to its pre-crisis levels of investment, but the distribution is uneven.

Two killed in Ambon brawl AMBON, Maluku: Two people were killed and two others were seriously wounded during a clash between villagers from Pelauw and Kailolo in the eastern Indonesian subdistrict town of Haruku here on Wednesday. The clash occurred after a dozen youths from the Kailolo village approached the Pelauw village at about 12:00 to find a solution to a misunderstanding that occurred between villagers from there at a party on Sept.14, witnesses said.

Handling migrant workers From Media Indonesia An expert presidential adviser said that President Megawati Soekarnoputri handled the problem of Indonesian migrant workers better than her Philippine counterpart Arroyo. President Megawati met with Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad whereas President Arroyo only spoke to him by telephone. I disagree with the adviser for two reasons. First, President Arroyo's telephone conversation with the Malaysian premier was less expensive.

Youths discuss peace for Aceh The Jakarta Post, Jakarta At least 70 young people coming from across Aceh province gathered in Banda Aceh on Wednesday to seek a common understanding on government policy and a peaceful solution to the conflict in Aceh. "We hope that the dialog will yield new ideas and be a reference that can be developed to promote regional development policies," head of Aceh youth and sports affairs office Teuku Pribadi was quoted by Antara as saying in Banda Aceh on Wednesday.

Efforts to curb illegal logging hampered by collusion Musthofid and Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Chronic collusion among officials and a lack of financial support have hampered the Ministry of Forestry's bid to curb rampant illegal logging, which has caused Rp 30 trillion in annual losses to the state, an official said on Tuesday. "Collusion among officials in related institutions, including the forestry ministry, has made illegal logging difficult to tackle," said R.B.

Gaining foothold in regional forwarding and delivery markets Sudibyo M. Wiradji, Contributor, Jakarta Despite the lingering economic crisis in several member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), providers of freight forwarding and delivery-related services are racing to strengthen their presence in the region.

Govt cautioned on U.S. motives in Iraq Muninggar Sri Saraswati and Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta An Indonesian Muslim leader has cautioned the government against the U.S. threat to attack Iraq, saying it could be motivated by a desire to control the world's oil production rather than to combat terrorism. "I'm curious about why the U.S. insists on launching a military operation against Iraq.

Editor's note This Special Page is published in conjunction with the Trans ASEAN 2002 Conference and Exhibition, which opens at the Jakarta Convention Center here today. Over 40 industry leaders in international and regional transportation-related businesses are expected to participate in the three-day event held following the Eighth ASEAN Transport Ministers' annual meeting.

Akbar's liberty, Criminal Code disputed Muhammad Nafik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Demand have been growing for the government and the House of Representatives to revise the Criminal Code Procedures (KUHAP) to ensure that a defendant convicted by a district court goes to jail immediately regardless of whether or not he or she lodges an appeal. Legal experts also said the revisions should oblige a convicted official to temporarily relinquish his or her public position despite an appeal request.

PT Danzas Saranaperkasa offers excellent forwarding and logistics services After 10 years of operation in Indonesia, freight forwarding and logistics provider PT Danzas Saranaperkasa, a subsidiary of the Switzerland-based Danzas Group, has successfully managed to retain a strong customer base for its reliable and excellent forwarding and logistics-related services.

Locals organize cultural festival Boudewijn Brands, Contributor, Yogyakarta Gejawan is a village off Jl. Wates, seven kilometers west of Yogyakarta, a bit away on the south of this busy, smoky road. It is a quiet village with sounds and noises coming from playing children, chicken and ducks and the mosque at the prescribed times. The residents are mostly farmers producing rice and watermelons. A river flows slowly through the village.

Where to go in Bali for Thursday, September 19, 2002 Exhibitions * Installation Art Skyplace Bamboo Airshipe Zeppelin, by Markus Heinsdorff's, Gaya Fusion of Senses, Jl. Raya Sayan, Ubud (Tel. 0361 979253), until Oct. 20. * Painting Whispering Line by Osmania, Museum Lukisan Sidik Jari Ngurah Gde Pemecutan, Jl. Hayam Wuruk 175, Tanjung Bungkak, Denpasar, until Oct.6. * Quilts Pieces of Indonesia by Mery's Quilts, Seniwati Gallery, Jl. Sriwedari 2b, Banjar Taman, Ubud (Tel.

Rini campaigns against higher cigarette excise Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Minister of Trade and Industry Rini MS Soewandi is seeking support from legislators for her plan to persuade Minister of Finance Boediono to cancel cigarette excise increases. Rini argued Wednesday that forcing cigarette companies to pay more excise would cause some to go broke and cause more layoffs because of the current business downturn.

Govt asked to renovate market BEKASI: Hundreds of garment vendors from Pondok Gede market urged the local administration to renovate the market, which is now in poor condition. The traders, grouped in the Association of Pondok Gede Market Vendors, complained that the market was badly in need of renovation as it was damaged by fire three years ago. They said that they were afraid that if it rained hard, the water would pour down through the leaks in the roof.

Danzas: Leading international logistics provider in Indonesia After ten years of operation in Indonesia, freight forwarding and logistics provider PT Danzas Saranaperkasa, a subsidiary of the Swiss-based Danzas Group and the logistics subsidiary of Deutsche Post World Net, has a strong customer following for its excellent forwarding and logistics services.

Muninggar Sri Saraswati and Tiarma Siboro The Jakarta Post Jakarta A legislator hinted on Tuesday that the Indonesian Military (TNI) might not get House support for a rise in the defense budget if it failed to explain irregularities in the use of state funds. "We will ask for clarification from TNI Headquarters over the report (of irregularities).

House delays passing broadcasting bill as radio, TV vow to defy Kurniawan Hari and Muhammad Nafik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The House of Representatives bowed to mounting pressure on Wednesday and delayed endorsing the controversial broadcasting bill, which TV and radio operators and other critics say is too repressive.

TANGERANG: A total of 113 couples, including some grandparents, gathered together for a mass wedding on Tuesday in Cisoka district of Tangerang. The event was organized by Dian Mitra, a local social foundation. The residents of five villages across the district: Sukatani, Sukareo, Cikasuka, Cikuya and Cempaka participated. The oldest couple at the mass wedding Mamat, 60, and Sukirnah, 56, have three children and several grandchildren. "We feel like a new bride and groom," said Mamat.