Mercedes S-Class and Jaguar XJ compete in premium car market The premium car market in Indonesia heated up in the last week of April when two major car manufacturers launched their latest models. The DaimlerChrysler group launched its new Mercedes Benz S- Class on April 24, followed by Jaguar's XJ Type the next day. Both companies called the new models the flagships for their brands.

RI-S. Korea in Asia-Oceania Junior Davis Cup final Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta With a ticket to the World Group of the Junior Davis Cup already assured, the Indonesian tennis team will face South Korea in the final of the Asia-Oceania qualifying matches with the hope that they will one of the seeded squads in Essen, Germany, in September. Top seed Indonesia reached the final after beating Chinese Taipei 2-1 in the semifinals at the Senayan Tennis Court here on Saturday.

JP/2/HIGH Bali proposes four sites as world heritage spots INDONESIA: Four areas on Bali have been proposed to become a world cultural heritage site, local government official, I Gde Parimartha, said here on Saturday. Parimartha told Antara that Bali Governor Dewa Beratha has submitted the proposal to the central government, which then would pass it on to UNESCO for further evaluation.

Media should be a means of `social control': News anchor Tony Ryanto, Contributor, Jakarta When TVRI was the only television station in Indonesia, viewers had only one channel to view and programs were in black and white. Now they have a choice of at least 12, comprising 10 private networks and two pubcasters (TVRI and TVRI2). Running parallel with the development of the industry, a considerably large number of people have built a wonderful career for themselves.

ITS Polytechnic wins Indonesian robot contest Zakki Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A.I.syah, a robot designed by a team from the Sepuluh November Institute of Technology (ITS) Polytechnic in Surabaya, won the Indonesian Robot Competition 2003 on Saturday. The institute, their third win in three years, will represent Indonesia in the Asia Pacific Robot Competition to be held in Bangkok on Aug. 24. A new team from Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta, came second with their creation called EA-2.

Beating urban challenges with all-new Honda City Hera Diani and Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta We thought we had gotten used to the traffic in the city. But it turns out that the congested roads, the seemingly never-ending lines of cars and never knowing how long it will take to get somewhere are still frustrating after all these years. And alas, that was what we had to deal with when we hit the streets last week to test out the new Honda City.

Unimpressive Indonesia edges Lebanon 1-0 Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Indonesian under-23 team scraped through for a 1-0 victory over Lebanon in their Asian qualifying match for the 2004 Olympics at the Bung Karno Stadium here on Saturday. Agus Indra Kurniawan scored the only goal of the match in the second half, giving Indonesia a narrow advantage going into the second leg of the fixture in Beirut next month.

Fullerton retains legacy from the old days Maria Endah Hulupi, The Jakarta Post, Singapore A renovation project may have transformed the Fullerton Singapore into a luxurious hotel, but the building still preserves its historical heritage and grand, neo-Palladian architecture. Nestling in the heart of the civic district, the seven-story historical landmark was designed by Shanghai-based architecture firm Keys & Dowdeswell and was originally built in 1928.

`Dangdut' continues to change with the times The onomatopoeic name is most likely derived from the sound of Indian tabla and other instruments going "dang dang, dut dut, dang dut, dang dut". But unlike its simple name, the music has taken a relatively complex evolutionary journey. The bongo drums, flute and tambourine driving the beat may be drawn from the Indian subcontinent and other places, including Portugal, Spain and the Middle East, but it is now distinctly Indonesian.

Upaboga di Indonesia: Food history at your fingertips Carla Bianpoen, Contributor, Jakarta On 26 April, the world of gastronomy in Indonesia reached an important milestone when Mirta Kartohadiprodjo, the president of book publisher Gaya Favorit Press, launched Upaboga di Indonesia, the first ever encyclopedia of food in this country. Written by Suryatini N.

`Inul debate shows RI society maturing' Born in Surakarta 55 years ago, Arswendo Atmowiloto dreamed of being a dalang (story teller/puppeteer). He probably realized that he had the talent and has remained true to his childhood call. Renowned in media circles as a straight-talker, Arswendo pays serious attention to social problems and cultural matters. His resolve, however, was tested in 1990 when he was editor of the now defunct Monitor tabloid.

Inul-mania has awakened us from slumber Dangdut singer/dancer Inul (last name no longer necessary ala Elvis) has once again stolen the public's attention with a recent prolonged brouhaha over her controversial hip dance.

Where to go in Jakarta:Sunday, May 4, 2003 Exhibitions * Fine Arts Membagi Titik by students of the Indonesian Arts Intitute, Yogyakarta, Lontar Gallery, Jl. Utan Kayu 68H, East Jakarta (Tel. 8573388), 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., until May 9. * Photo Japanese Face, Pusat Kebudayaan Jepang - The Japan Foundation, Summitmas I, Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 61-62 South Jakarta (Tel. 5201266), 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., May 5 to May 30.

`Ngebor' dance divides the people Arya Abhiseka, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta There is no other entertainer who has divided Indonesia as much as Inul Daratista. Some loath her, others love her. The ones who frown upon her include clerics from the Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI), the Alliance for Anti- Pornography Society and the Association of Malay Music Artists.

Tension increases in Aceh as deadline looms Nani Farida and Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh/Jakarta Tension has increased in Aceh with just one week remaining of a two-week deadline set by the government for separatists to lay down their arms. Witnesses said fully armed Indonesia Military (TNI) soldiers were patrolling streets in the troubled regencies of East Aceh, Aceh Besar, North Aceh, South Aceh and Pidie on Saturday. Some of the troops rode in armored vehicles.

TV Program: Sunday, May 4, 2003 .TB.30" .90" TVRI 6:00 a.m. News: Berita Pagi 7:00 English New Service 9:00 Children's Program: Media Kids 11:00 Variety Show: Maskum Show 12:00 p.m. News: Berita Siang 12:30 Traditional Comedy: Mustika Campur Sari 2:00 Music 4:00 Sports 6:00 News: Berita Petang 7:00 Comedy: Paviliun 21 7:30 Music: Dansa Yo Dansa 9:00 News: Berita Malam 9:30 Music TPI 6:00 a.m.