Alatas to leave for Myanmar JAKARTA: President Megawati Soekarnoputri's special envoy Ali Alatas is slated to leave for Myanmar on Sunday to lobby the military junta for the release of detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The trip was confirmed on Saturday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' director general for Asia, the Pacific and Africa, Makarim Wibisono.

Bissu shamans still letting the spirits move them Sharyn Graham, Contributor, Auckland, New Zealand As assorted officials and participants in suits and formal attire clustered together in the room, a group of colorfully dressed people, their faces heavily made up, stood out from the rest. I was glad to see them: This was an international conference, sponsored by the local Barru government in South Sulawesi, and bissu transgender shamans had been hired as the welcoming committee.

Mahathir lashes out at fundamentalist opposition Jasbant Singh Associated Press Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad lashed out on Saturday at the country's main Islamic opposition group, calling it "a bunch of liars" out to impose laws restricting the rights of non- Muslims.

Letting more than just Bromo touch your soul Corinne arrived yesterday. We had a nice chat but this morning at 4:30 a.m. she sped away in a jeep to experience the Bromo sunrise. By the time I got back to the hotel in the early afternoon, she had already checked-out. Like Corinne, the four polite Dutch people and the friendly English couple stay resolved in a 12-hour event: arriving late in the evening, going straight to bed, getting up at 4 a.m.

A healthy lunchbox proves a tasty challenge Maria Endah Hulupi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Sparing time to prepare an interesting and nutritionally balanced lunchbox for their children day in and day out is a major challenge for many busy parents. Paulina, a working mother of two elementary school students, found it was too difficult to achieve every day. "I just give them some money so they can buy something for lunch at school," she said.

U.S lauds RI's success in war on terrorism Agence France-Presse, Washington, D.C The United States praised Indonesia's "energetic" role in the U.S. anti-terror campaign since the Bali bombings last year, as Secretary of State Colin Powell met Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in Washington on Friday.

Shifting strategy to lure local customers Rudijanto, Contributor, Jakarta With the departure of a significant number of Japanese expatriates, the owners of Japanese restaurants, which have mushroomed throughout Indonesia since the early '70s, have mostly shifted their strategy, location and even name and cooking concept to lure local customers. Yoshiko restaurant, for example, decided to move from the central business district (CBD) to the residential area in Kebayoran Baru district.

Top sees Dementieva beats Sugiyama Agence France-Presse, Shanghai, China Top seed Elena Dementieva fought off a gutsy performance on Saturday by Japan's Ai Sugiyama, beating the third seed 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 to reach the finals of the WTA Shanghai Polo Open here. The 22-year-old Russian is now one match away from capturing the US$585,000 tournament, as well as a second straight title in less than a week after downing Chanda Rubin in Bali, Indonesia.

Once honored members of South Sulawesi's royal courts, Bissu transgender shamans are finding a new place in modern society, calling up deities and performing elaborate rituals to bless believers. Page 8 Class act Style arbiter Oscar de la Renta did it again at New York Fashion Week, pulling out all the rich-girl trappings to dress up denizens of the social pages. Page 15

Singers tuned in to trendsetting fashions Muara Bagdja Contributor Jakarta Top singers, the likes of Krisdayanti, Titi DJ and dangdut diva Inul Daratista, know that to be true professionals they need to put their careers in professional hands. That includes surrounding themselves with capable managers, make-up artists and fashion designers to share their expertise. "As a singer I concentrate on my show, for example, my voice, my choreography and my rehearsals with the music group.

Pakistan 'deporting RI students' PAKISTAN: Pakistani immigration officials have detained 16 foreign students of Islamic seminaries in Karachi for deportation, they said on Saturday. "We have arrested them at different seminaries of the city and will send them to their respective countries as the formalities are completed," an immigration official said. "They come from Indonesia and Malaysia and have been arrested on the request of their countries," he added. -- DPA

Top singers tuned in to trendsetting fashions Muara Bagdja, Contributor, Jakarta Top singers, the likes of Krisdayanti, Titi DJ and dangdut diva Inul Daratista, know that to be true professionals they need to put their careers in professional hands. That includes surrounding themselves with capable managers, make-up artists and fashion designers to share their expertise. "As a singer I concentrate on my show, for example, my voice, my choreography and my rehearsals with the music group.

TV Program: Sunday, September 21, 2003 .TB.30" .90" TVRI 6:00 a.m. News: Berita Pagi 7:00 Children's Program: Panggung Boneka 7:30 Documentary 9:00 Children's Program: Bando 11:00 Variety Show: Maskum Show 12:00 p.m. News: Berita Siang 12:30 Traditional Comedy: Mustika Campur Sari 3:00 City News 3:30 Music 4:00 Documentary 5:00 Music 6:00 English News Services 7:00 News 7:30 Music: Dansa Yo Dansa 9:00 News: Dunia Dalam Berita 9:30 Traditional Performances 11:30 TV Drama TPI 6:00 a.m.

No paper In accordance with the government-sanctioned observance of the Ascension Day of Prophet Muhammad, The Jakarta Post will not be published on Monday. The Post will resume publication on Tuesday. -- Publisher

Mahathir lashes out at fundamentalist Jasbant Singh, Associated Press, Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad lashed out on Saturday at the country's main Islamic opposition group, calling it "a bunch of liars" out to impose laws restricting the rights of non- Muslims.

Dede Eri Supria: Creating dynamic strokes of alienation Carla Bianpoen, Contributor, Jakarta Most people associate painter Dede Eri Supria with a consuming urban labyrinth, which he has visualized in dramatic images of barren high-rise construction. But the painting he has made for the ongoing CP Open Biennale 2003 testifies to his base of realism steeped in expressive dynamics.

The meat of the matter as a modern vegetarian T. Sima Gunawan, Contributor, Jakarta Most of the time, Mary brings her own lunch to the office. It's not so much a choice as a requirement -- she is a vegetarian and there is no nearby food outlet offering something she can eat. "I don't want to eat ketoprak (fried bean curd mixed with bean sprouts and rice vermicelli in peanut sauce), and gado-gado (vegetable salad with peanut sauce) all the time," she said.

Exotic Asian dishes becoming more popular Sudibyo M. Wiradji, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The growing trend towards eating out among the Indonesian middle class has turned the country's major cities into fertile ground not only for Western fast-food chains but also restaurants selling non-Indonesia Asian delicacies. Restaurants offering Chinese, Japanese, Indian and Thai specialties have, for example, become popular dining places in Jakarta.

Pomp reigns at Kutai festival opening The Jakarta Post, Tenggarong, East Kalimantan Tenggarong returned to festive mood on Saturday. The revelry that will last until Sept. 28 started with an intricate court ritual led by Kutai Sultan Haji Adji Mohamad Solehoeddin II at his palace. Conducted in silence, the ceremony consisted of erecting the "Tiang Ayu", a decorated ancient wooden pole, in the palace grounds.

Multitalented Remy takes pick of artistic avenues David Kennedy, Contributor, Jakarta, d_kenn@yahoo.com Remy Sylado does not stay in one place for long -- that is, unless he is acting, writing or painting there. Depending on what he is doing, he divides his time between Bandung, Bogor and Jakarta. Better known for his novels and essays and as an actor, the 58-year-old South Sulawesi-born artist recently displayed his paintings at an exhibition at a five-star hotel in Jakarta.

Megawati set to depart for UN meeting Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta President Megawati Soekarnoputri embarks on another overseas trip on Sunday to attend the United Nations General Assembly's 58th session in New York. Set to convey the message that the world body should be more active in solving international conflicts and explaining the country's efforts in fighting terrorism, Megawati will address the Assembly on Sept. 23.

Design diva Ranna says what she thinks Eilish Kidd, Contributor, Jakarta I ask Ranna Gill if she's ever disappointed when she sees someone wearing her clothes. The kohl-rimmed eyes open wider, the candy pink lips tremble. Suddenly this fashion trendsetter seems as vulnerable as a little girl. Her voice drops. "So many times," she whispers. "Somebody very -- large -- or something." I nod, kind of awed.

Vegetarian restaurants offer alternative food T. Sima Gunawan, Contributor, Jakarta It may be called spicy duck or fried chicken, but there is no fowl in the food. The sauteed beef, the fried tuna fish and the shark fin soup are also meat free. They are vegetarian dishes, made from the basic ingredients -- beans, flour and mushrooms. Take the shark's-fin soup, for example, served in the vegetarian restaurant here.

Marriott victim ties the knot Zakki Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta What was planned as a cheerful wedding left a lump in the throats of most of the guests when Marriott bombing victim Febby Firmansyah wed Deli Ratnasari on Saturday morning. The Medical Commission Room, next to the burns ward on the second floor of Pertamina Hospital, South Jakarta, was packed with family, close friends and several other recovering bomb victims.

Toiling day in, day out Life is all about work for women in Oeledo, a small village in Pantai Baru district, East Nusa Tenggara. Hardship and scant rewards are available for the women, and the unrelenting dry season this year has brought more difficulties for them and their families. Come rain or shine, the women toil throughout the day, both in completing their household duties and helping supplement the meager incomes of their fishermen husbands.

In search of Bissu shamans: Still letting the spirits move them Sharyn Graham Contributor Auckland, New Zealand As assorted officials and participants in suits and formal attire clustered together in the room, a group of colorfully dressed people, their faces heavily made up, stood out from the rest. I was glad to see them: This was an international conference, sponsored by the local Barru government in South Sulawesi, and Bissu transgender shamans had been hired as the welcoming committee.

Mount Bromo: Getting to take a walk in the clouds Placido, Contributor, Bromo, East Java As a child I used to say to my mother, "I want to walk over the clouds." She smiled at my infant naivete. Many years' later, coincidences and curiosity have taken me to Mount Bromo and ... yes Mom, I have walked above the clouds! It is cold, very cold at 4 a.m. in Cemara Lewang, a little village in East Java, built right on the rim of the 10-km wide Tengger crater.

'Relative value': A home built for family unity Maria Endah Hulupi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A house is more than just a place that reflects the people living in it or hints at the owner's personality or lifestyle. It can also embody the principles and values by which the owners live their life. That is true in the case of young architect Evan Davin Lee, whose experiments with geometric shapes and materials at his family's house is concentrated on the concept of family unity.

Mount Bromo: Getting to take a walk in the clouds Placido, Contributor, Bromo, East Java As a child I used to say to my mother, "I want to walk over the clouds." She smiled at my infant naivete. Many years later, coincidences and curiosity have taken me to Mount Bromo and ... yes Mom, I have walked above the clouds! It is cold, very cold at 4 a.m. in Cemara Lewang, a little village in East Java, built right on the rim of the 10-km wide Tengger crater.