Where to go in Jakarta: Sunday, August 3, 2003 Exhibitions * Contemporary Art Childhood Objects, Cemara 6 Galeri (cafe), Jl. HOS. Cokroaminoto 9 - 11 Central Jakarta, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., until Aug. 18. * Fine Art by Tisna Sanjaya, Bentara Budaya Jakarta, Jl. Palmerah Selatan no. 17, Central Jakarta (Tel. 5483008 ext. 7910/7911), 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., until Aug. 3. * Poster, GoetheHaus, Jl. Sam Ratulangi 9-15 Central Jakarta (Tel. 23550208), 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., until Aug. 7.

Setting out to sea Papua, the easternmost province in the country, is a unique land, the tropical island found at the highest altitude and blessed with magnificent biodiversity. Apart from its beautiful jungle, Papua is renowned for its stunning shoreline. Just imagine a carpet of white sand, fringing a shimmering green sea. By day, sounds of the waves and winds mingle with the cheerful hollering of children playing in the sand or on small boats. Their parents prepare to fish in the evening.

Cooler heads prevail in protecting kids The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Fear has descended over many households in the last few months. A spate of child kidnappings, including several allegedly masterminded by two brothers who are believed to have sexually assaulted and murdered some of their victims, has left many parents like "Nila" watching their children's every move. "It's just so scary to me when I hear about what happened to the victims," said the working mother of two.

Festival celebrates Malay culture INDONESIA: President Megawati Soekarnoputri is scheduled to open a festival on Malay culture and its promotion on Sunday in Pekanbaru, Riau. Rampai Melayu -- A World Festival on Melayu Culture, to be held through Aug. 7, is intended to nurture and cultivate Malay culture, including among other countries with the same cultural roots, organizers said.

Soul support Although yoga for kids initially sounds like an exercise in frustration, one local group is offering lessons in contemplation to teach the little ones that love is all we need. Page 5 Swing of things Malaysia's mighty Kinabatangan River and its wetlands make up one of the richest ecosystems in the world. Eager to tap the growing nature tourism market, local villagers are opening their doors to visitors. Page 14

Yoga for kids teaches more than humming 'om' Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Ciawi, Bogor It is said to possess healing power as well as increasing the ability to concentrate. But yoga is not exactly for kids. How on earth would you teach your young child to meditate and concentrate when getting them to sit still for more than 10 seconds is often a headache?

Traditional wedding ceremony strengthens sacred bond Debbie A. Lubis Contributor Jakarta The heavy head ornament and the hundreds of staring people did not deter Dian from walking into the reception hall on her special night. Next to her, her soul mate Wahidin gave a shy smile to members of the extended families who stood on the right and left sides of the aisle leading into the reception hall.

Setting out to sea Papua, the easternmost province in the country, is a unique land, the tropical island found at the highest altitude and blessed with magnificent biodiversity. Apart from its beautiful jungle, Papua is renowned for its stunning shoreline. Just imagine a carpet of white sand, fringing a shimmering green sea. By day, sounds of the waves and winds mingle with the cheerful hollering of children playing in the sand or on small boats. Their parents prepare to fish in the evening.

Die for my country today? Not likely Bagimu negeri, jiwa raga kami (For you, beloved country, our body and soul). It used to be oh-so noble to die for one's country. At least, that was what I learned from my late grandmother and my father. My grandmother often told us stories of how our grandfather joined the war against the Dutch for the country's independence. One day in the 1940s, the Dutch managed to capture him and took him away, and to this day we don't know what happened to him.

Badminton World championships (x denotes seeding): Quarterfinals Men's singles Shon Seung-Mo (Kor x13) bt Chen Hong (Chn x1) 5-15, 17-14, 15-9 Xia Xuanze (Chn x5) bt Kenneth Jonassen (Den x2) 17-14, 12-15, 15-10 Wong Choon Hann (Mas) bt Sony Kwi Kuncoro (Inax 6) 15-8, 15-5 Bao Chunlai (Chn) bt Muhammad Roslin Hashim (Mas) 15-7, 15-10 Women's singles Mia Audina Tjiptawan (Ned x3) bt Kanako Yonejura (Jpn x8) 11-5, 11-0 Zhou Mi (Chn x5) bt Wang Chen (Hkg x1) 11-6, 5-11, 11-4 Gong Ruina (Chn x4) bt...

Nessen gets for immigration offense Nani Farida and Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh/Lhokseumawe American freelance journalist William Arthur Nessen was sentenced on Saturday for an immigration violation here, but is expected to enjoy his freedom the next day. The Banda Aceh District Court handed down to Nessen, 46, a retroactive 40-day jail term.

TV Program: Sunday, Aug. 3, 2003 .TB.30" .90" TVRI 6:00 a.m. News: Berita Pagi 7:00 English News Service 9:30 Children's Program: Bando 11:00 Variety Show: Maskum Show 12:00 p.m. News: Berita Siang 12:30 Traditional Comedy: Mustika Campur Sari 2:00 English for Fun 3:30 Religious Teachings 4:00 Sports 5:00 Music 6:00 News: Berita Petang 7:30 Music: Dansa Yo Dansa 9:00 News: Dunia Dalam Berita 9:30 Traditional Performance Wayang Orang 10:30 Comedy 11:30 Theater Teateronik TPI 6:00 a.m.

Music a tie that binds for singer Ubiet Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Singer Nyak Ina Raseuki, better known as Ubiet, left her hometown in Aceh 20 years, and so hardly sees her ethnic identity as a defining point of who she is today. Yet, because of the conflict in the westernmost province, there are the inevitable if somewhat uncomfortable associations with the place she grew up in but left as a teenager.

'Krakatoa': An intriguing look at the explosion Caroline Cooper, Contributor, Jakarta ------------------------------------------------------- Krakatoa: The Day the World Exploded, August 27, 1883 Simon Winchester Harper Collins, 2003 416 pp -------------------------------------------------------- The bare facts associated with Krakatoa's 1883 eruption describe a force so powerful that indeed it could be heard across the region and into India.

FOR FOCUS ISSUE Asia Pacific Bridal Summit MARRIAGE CUSTOMS: Models display traditional Central Java (left) and Betawi (right) wedding costumes. A traditional wedding is still popular among couples although this entails a series of tiring rituals.

Brojopati Chairil Gibran Ramadhan Brojopati, the tycoon who had enriched himself at the expense of others, taking the rice from other people's plates by any and all means, finally died. A grand bash to celebrate his birthday was held in a posh hotel only five days earlier.

Thai short film directors going to the big screen Kenny Santana, Contributor, Bangkok Never mind if you never watched the colossal Thai movie, The Legend of Suriyothai, or the popular comedy flick of a volleyball team consisting of transvestites called The Iron Ladies. Never mind if your knowledge of Thai "films" is based on the soap operas aired by local TV stations where the artists speak in dubbed Indonesian accents. Also, never mind if the only Thai guy you know is Greg Uttsada Panichkul, a.

Ecotourism the way to go for mighty of Malaysia The Star/Asian News Network Sabah, Malaysia The dense forest along the Kinabatangan, Sabah's longest river, offers a breathtaking view of the last remnants of Borneo wilderness. The river and its surrounding wetlands make up one of the richest ecosystems on Earth. Eager to tap the floodplain's growing nature tourism market, villagers are beginning to open their doors to paying guests. An air of festivity permeated the air.

Factions urge issuance of recommendation Kurniawan Hari and, A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Factions in the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) increased pressure on Saturday for the Annual Session now underway to issue a recommendation in response to the progress report delivered by President Megawati Soekarnoputri on her administration's performance.

Hotels become preferred venues for wedding parties Sudibyo M. Wiradji The Jakarta Post Jakarta Jakarta's top, star-rated hotels have become increasingly a preferred venue for wedding parties because, in addition to strategic and convenient location, the luxury accommodation offers excellent and superb facilities, a wide selection of quality food and professional and personalized services within a pleasant ambience.

Factions rebuke govt over Sukhoi, BLBI A'an Suryana and Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Most of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) factions expressed on Saturday their disappointment with the achievements of President Megawati Soekarnoputri's government over the past year, saying it did not live up to people's expectations.

Bayu's costs per month * Hydrotherapy Rp 340,000 * Vitamins Rp 25,000 * Doctors visit (three monthly)Rp 15,000 * Milk (pediatric)Rp 120,000 * Snack/FruitRp 80,000 * Extra meal (mung bean porridge)Rp 62,000 Extras * Exercise booksRp 150,000 * Toilet (including installation)Rp 600,000 In the event that Bayu's health deteriorates, his medical and pharmaceutical costs will increase. -- Megan James

Police zeroing in on BSD kidnappers Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang Police have identified a man who abducted an eight-year boy from Tangerang after the boy's parents transferred part of the ransom to the kidnapper's own bank account. However, police are yet to arrest the kidnapers, who are demanding Rp 4 billion (US$470,588), as they are still holding the boy. "We should save the boy first, and then arrest them," Serpong Police chief Adj. Comr. Kostbar said on Saturday.

Candra/Sigit reach World final BRITAIN: Men's doubles shuttlers Candra Wijaya and Sigit Budiarto salvaged some pride for their homeland on Saturday by coming back from behind to secure a place in the final of the 2003 Badminton World Championships in Birmingham, England. Eleventh seeded Candra and Sigit started the first game at a fast pace but were outplayed by seventh seeds Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng of China, who won 15-6.