Shots fired at RI diplomat KUWAIT: The Indonesian economic counselor and his wife escaped unhurt Saturday when a drug addict opened fire at their car just south of Kuwait City, official sources said. The shooting had no political motive, the Kuwaiti interior ministry said. "Sudirmen Haseng (the counselor) was in his car with his wife in front of a school... when someone in a car fired shots at them," the Indonesian consul, Hassan Basri, told AFP.

KL to crack down on illegal workers MALAYSIA: Malaysia is making final preparations to launch a nationwide crackdown in January aimed at ridding the country of more than one million illegal immigrants, the government said on Friday. Tan Chai Ho, deputy home affairs minister, told AFP that some 25,000 members of a controversial volunteer security group were undergoing training to assist in a 500,000-strong force that would carry out the operation.

Girl fights for survival after accident Sonya Sandham, Contributor/Sydney The courage of a lion lies in the heart of a two and a half year old girl from Balaraja in Tangerang. Almas Firosmona Yuniar, also known as Mona, suffered third degree burns to about 75 percent of her body in the kitchen of her grandparents in Prigi, Sigaluh, Banjarnegara, Central Java.

Indonesia to reject UN probe over 1999 East Timor violence Associated Press, Jakarta Indonesia said Friday it rejects U.N. plans for a commission that would study Jakarta's efforts to punish those responsible for human rights abuses in East Timor in 1999 -- and could recommend that an international tribunal is needed instead. The United Nations has yet to formally announce the commission. But a joint statement from the governments of Indonesia and East Timor said "it has been learned that the U.

Sumanto fails to escape second crash Slamet Susanto and Tarko Sudiarno, The Jakarta Post/Yogyakarta Residents of Pehserut in Nganjuk, East Java, could not believe that Maj. Sumanto was among the Air Force personnel killed in a helicopter crash in Wonosobo, Central Java, on Thursday. "I was trying to remember whether Sumanto was the one who escaped death in an aircraft crash in July in our subdistrict.

Shots fired at RI diplomat KUWAIT: A gunman fired shots on Saturday at an Indonesian diplomatic car in Kuwait carrying a family, but there were no casualties, a diplomat and a security source said. "One of our embassy staff, who is an economic adviser, was driving in his car with his wife this morning and another car shot at him," an Indonesian diplomat told Reuters. He said no one was hurt in the shooting.

Living life on his own terms Emmy Fitri, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta To his utter relief, Martin Aleida was able to keep from disclosing the pivotal name of the river until the last paragraph of Jamangilak Tak Pernah Menangis (Jamangilak Never Cries). "I felt tremendous relief and excitement as I finished this novel because I've been playing around with thousands of words and went through the strong temptation to name the river, Asahan. I just love that," Martin said.

'artconneXions' an arena for an exchange of views Christina Schott, Contributor/Jakarta "When I drive through Jakarta, my home city, I see it like my own house and I take a close look at the interior.

Dishes to bring in the New Year *SOP BUNTUT SAPI Oxtail soup is hearty fare on New Year's Eve and is enjoyed as hot as possible. One can easily make it into a filling meal by adding some steamed rice and season with some sambal! This soup is from Jakarta's southern suburbs.

Jazz Goes to Campus needs fine tuning Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post/Depok, West Java It was mighty hot and humid last Sunday afternoon at the University of Indonesia campus here, the kind of weather that not only leaves you sweating buckets, but also brings your temper to boiling point. Rage test #1: Finding a good parking spot at the spacious area, without having illegal parking attendants shake you down.

Indonesian student comes close at Paris contest Kunang Helmi, Contributor/Paris An Indonesian fashion writer commented recently that local designers never seem to renew their inspiration and live far from the innovative trends found on the international fashion scene. Perhaps the writer was not aware that Indonesia's younger generation certainly makes a huge effort to keep up, and even create, new trends.

Deck the halls with bougainvillea As Christmas loomed high in my consciousness, I visited one of the many malls in Jakarta to do some present shopping. As part of the season's festivities, the mall had invited a group of carolers to sing time-honored Yuletide classics -- tunes like White Christmas, O' Christmas Tree and Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer. Tired of roaming, I stopped for a while to watch the carolers with their gay outfits and their harmonic voices as I sang along with a song or two.

Ayurveda survives test of time The growing popularity of Ayurveda in India is matched by its enormous growth overseas. Delhi-based Jiva Ayurveda was the first company to offer Ayurvedic consultations with qualified doctors and sell courses and medicines over the Internet. It has more than 150,000 customers in 100 countries.

TV Program: Sunday, December 26, 2004 .TB.30" .90" TVRI 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News: Berita Pagi 7:00 Cartoon: Maya The Bee 7:30 Children Show 9:00 Music: Delta 10:30 Sports: Antar Gelanggang 11:00 Christmas 12:30 p.m. English for Fun 1:00 News: Berita Siang 3:00 English News Service 4:30 Documentary 7:00 News: Berita Nasional 7:30 Music 9:00 Italian League (Live) 11:00 News: Dunia Dalam Berita 11:30 Traditional Performances TPI 5:00 a.m.

Gender bender: Those womenly matters I have been reading about violence against women, and wondering if the issue is not linked to other wider, prevalent issues in society. Several years ago I attended a conference in an Indonesian city, and stayed in an hotel on my own. I seldom left the room without tidying it up to a degree, to the extent that what the cleaners would see was not much more than a pair of shorts and a T-shirt on an unmade bed.

TNI chief halts all air missions Slamet Susanto and Tarko Sudiarno, The Jakarta Post/Yogyakarta Indonesia Military (TNI) chief Gen. Endriartono Soetarto ordered on Friday that all TNI helicopters be temporarily grounded the day after a helicopter crash in Wonosobo that killed 14 Air Force personnel. "All helicopters must be grounded temporarily, including the Army's Bell 205 helicopters.

Christmas brings Indonesians together The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia celebrated Christmas amid heightened security late on Friday and Saturday due to reports of possible bomb attacks in the capital and vandalism in the conflict-torn regions. In Jakarta, a heavy downpour highlighted the serene and peaceful atmosphere of the celebrations at over 120 churches across the city, including the two largest the Jakarta Cathedral and Immanuel Church in Central Jakarta.

Student detained for burning SBY photo INDONESIA: A student at the State Islamic University in Jakarta was detained on Friday for allegedly burning a photograph of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono during a protest on Monday against fuel price increases. South Jakarta Police chief Sr. Comr. Ghufron said Bay Harkad Firdaus, alias Jonday, would be charged under Article 134 of the Criminal Code for insulting the head of state.

Ken Pattern: Seeking the truth in landscape around him Briony Kidd, Contributor/Jakarta Popularly known for his black and white lithographs, Canadian artist Ken Pattern is giving freer rein to his creative spirit. Ken Pattern is best known for his black and white stone lithographs of Jakarta streetscapes. These images -- often dealing with the juxtaposition of rich and poor, old and new -- have graced everything from calendars to bookmarks.

Court rejects graft appeal INDONESIA: A West Sumatra court not only rejected on Friday the appeal filed by 43 West Sumatra councillors convicted of graft, but increased their jail sentences. The court increased the jail sentence of three council leaders from two years and three months to five years. It sentenced the other 40 council members to four years in jail each, twice as long as the two years given them by the Padang District Court.

From the old into the new with tasty fare Suryatini N. Ganie, Contributor/Jakarta Though we Indonesians actually have no special traditional celebrations for New Year's Eve and the first day of the new year, many people here have the custom of gathering with friends, family or close relatives. Gatherings can be in the intimacy of their homes, or by following the trend of celebrating it in restaurants or hotels offering special menus to pass the evening until midnight.

Where to go in Jakarta: Sunday, December 26, 2004 Exhibitions * The Hungry Box: the endless interiors of MVRDV, Erasmus Huis, Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said, Kav S-3, Kuningan, South Jakarta (Tel. 5241069), Monday - Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., until Jan. 7. * Arts by Canadian artist Ken Pattern, at Four Seasons Hotel (Regent), Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said Kav. B-4, South Jakarta, until Jan. 15.

Puppet master Ki Manteb pauses for thought Bambang M, The Jakarta Post/Yogyakarta He has dedicated his life to the thing he loves most, the art of the leather puppet show, and in doing so is helping it become recognized as a precious cultural legacy. Talking with leading puppet master Ki Manteb Soedharsono is like watching his frenetic performance on stage. Jokes are interspersed with more serious reflections as he expresses his philosophical views.