Students step to it to help save orangutans Chisato Hara, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta It's a bright, sunshiny day, and the campus is dotted with a few students lounging on benches between classes and others strolling under cempaka trees with backpacks slung casually over one shoulder. The buzzing ring of a bell breaks through the languid hush, and beyond gleaming windows, classes stand to gather books and turn in papers as their teachers get in a final word or two.

'Cap Go Meh' celebrations hope for blessings Colorful parade withs liong (dragon dances) and barongsay (lion dances) as well as traditional performances on the street marked Cap Go Meh celebrations in the capital. Thousands of Chinese-Indonesians lined up along the streets on Feb. 7 to enjoy the Cap Go Meh parade, enthusiastically greeting the toapekong (effigies of gods).

Job outlook bleak for factory outlet town Bandung Peter Janssen Deutsche Presse-Agentur Bandung This town, where founding president Sukarno staged the historic Asia-Africa conference in 1955 and spawned the Non-Aligned Movement, is best known today for its factory outlet shops selling cheap garments and shoes. Every weekend Jl.

Toto: The band plays on with hits and misses Hera Diani , The Jakarta Post, Jakarta "We're the original hip hop band," joked Steve Lukather, the guitarist/vocalist of the band Toto, at a media conference here recently. He referred to a number of rap and techno artists such as Li'l Kim, Ja Rule and Robert Sanchez, who, the band claimed, have sampled Toto's songs and made them their own. "That's a compliment, although they don't say it's from Toto," Lukather asserted.

Students demand answers in beatings Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Dozens of student representatives from various universities reported the Jakarta Police force to the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) on Saturday after the beating they suffered at the hands of baton-wielding riot policemen as the students gathered in front of the Supreme Court building on Thursday. The incident took place around 3 p.m.

A house for Sumi Dewi K. Trembling, 18-year-old Sumi carried her baby, less than a year old, her eyes fixed on the group of uniformed men carrying clubs. She could not understand why these people had ruthlessly destroyed her house and anything inside it. Her neighbors said they were the local administration officers in charge of maintaining order. Sumi sat in silence, sadness stabbing deep into her heart.

On the shelves Stevie Emilia, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta ================================================ Seri Rumah Gaya: Sentuhan Etnik (Stylish Home Series: Ethnic Touch) Susilowati and photographer Antonio Zi, PT Gramedia Pustaka Utama, Jakarta, 2003 82 pp ============================================================== A home interior is something intensely personal that reflects not only the owner's character and lifestyle but also taste and knowledge.

'Chess queens' revel in Indonesia tour Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Three top international women chess players say they are relishing their tour of Indonesia and are excited about playing in the US$12,500 Makita-Lakoni International Grand Master tournament, which starts here on Monday. The six-way tournament will begin its 10-day competition at the Graha Kita Karya building in North Jakarta, pitting the woman against three Indonesian men.

Jakarta still far from a city of fashion T. Sima Gunawan, Contributor, Jakarta Fashion is Paris, New York and Milan. These are the three cities people all over the world refer to when they talk about the hottest new clothes. What about Jakarta? "No way," you might say. But why not? Jakarta has many talented fashion designers and Indonesia is rich in culture that could become a never-ending source of inspiration.

Helping parents face their greatest fear Hera Diani , The Jakarta Post, Jombang, Banten We don't expect our children to die before us -- it's not supposed to be that way. It's a fear that shadows the parents of children with cancer who attended a special "cancer camp" for needy patients held here recently by the Indonesian Childhood Cancer Foundation (YOAI). At the recreational field, some 100 or so children played games and sang songs, led by the foundation's volunteers.

Seamen freed from armed pirates INDONESIA: Authorities freed all 11 crew of a fishing vessel seized by pirates in the Malacca Strait, and arrested the attackers, who were Aceh separatist rebels, a military spokesman said on Saturday. More than a quarter of the world's trade and half of its oil pass through the Malacca Straits.

Actress-singer Birkin bringing her music to town Bruce Emond, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Several years before disco queen Donna Summer sparked the puritan ire of America with her orgasmic oohing and aahing, British actress Jane Birkin released Je t'aime moi non plus in France in 1969. A breathy, pulsating turn, spoken not so much sung, it provides some unmistakeable and unforgettable sound effects, although it never seems a voyeuristic, lascivious stunt.

Police arrest 8 for gun smuggling INDONESIA: Police said on Saturday they arrested eight people suspected of smuggling hundreds of firearms from southern Thailand to rebels in war-torn Aceh province. Six men and two women were arrested in North Sumatra and in West Java in January and February, said local police district chief Lt. Col. Arman Depari. Depari said the suspects were alleged members of a gun syndicate that has been operating since 1987.

Nine hurt, two missing in building collapse Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A three-story wall at the burned-out Tanah Abang textile market collapsed on Saturday, injuring at least nine people, including a marine soldier, while two other workers were buried and still missing under the rubble.

Students put on a play for harmony Harmony will reign in Jakarta next Saturday when students from Texmaco DPS International School perform a play on the theme at Pusat Perfilman Usmar Ismail in Kuningan, South Jakarta. The play explores the search for harmony of people and their natural surroundings, as well as interfaith harmony, said the school's principal Manoj Dubey.

TV Program: Sunday, February 15, 2004 .TB.30" .90" TVRI 6:00 a.m. Morning News 7:00 Children's Program: Dongeng Anak 9:00 Music: Delta 10:00 TV Drama: Nostalgia 11:00 Variety Show: Maskum Show 12:30 p.m.

Exploring the fashion world at local boutiques Debbie A. Lubis, Contributor, Jakarta It was a cool afternoon when a couple with discerning taste, browsed around Oscar Lawalata's collection at Centro, Plaza Semanggi in Central Jakarta. After several minutes of scrutiny, the couple decided to buy a two-piece collection of that young local designer. "I always admire Oscar's chic and feminine style and I want my lady to wear this dress at our Valentine's dinner," said Ando, a young executive.

Megawati and NU seek 'mutual understanding' Indra Harsaputra and I.D. Nugroho , The Jakarta Post, Malang, East Java Chairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) Megawati Soekarnoputri met on Saturday with the chairman of the largest Muslim organization, the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), and dozens of religious leaders, or kyai, in a visit she claimed was a mere reunion among friends.

Street festival kicks off modestly in Kuningan Dewi Santoso, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The opening day of Festival Rasuna 2004 at Pasar Festival mall on Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said in Kuningan, South Jakarta, on Saturday, did not attract many visitors in the morning, despite its loud interactive games and barongsai (dragon dance) attraction.

Glad to be saviors for endangered wildlife Suganya Naidu, Contributor, Jakarta As conservationists around the country desperately seek political recognition and economic aid for orangutan rehabilitation programs, children in the Jakarta vicinity undertake a similar but creative approach into securing the future of these primates.

Marida Nasution: Another step on her artistic adventures Carla Bianpoen, Contributor, Jakarta As singer Ina "Ubiet" Nyak Raseuki stood in front of Marida Nasution's Blue Opera stage, the tones composed by new music master Tony Prabowo and given life by her unique voice filling the space of the new gallery at the National Museum, it was as if a world of the ethereal unfolded.

Jl. Jaksa: Time to reach out to more than the regulars? Hera Diani and Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Its reputation is firmly cemented as the spot for backpacker travelers, but Jl. Jaksa today resembles a jaded old woman who has seen better days. At night, she perks up from her languor to greet her fiercely loyal regulars with a dizzying draw of loud music, sparkling lights and a fanfare of women.

Two injured in East Java gas factory explosion ID Nugroho, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya At least two people were injured when an explosion was followed by a huge fire at the PT Samator Gas factory in Driyorejo, Gresik early on Saturday. A factory manager told The Jakarta Post the explosion and fire started at around 1:47 a.m. on Saturday morning, forcing hundreds of residents around the plant to evacuate. "It sounded like a bomb.

Marida Nasution does it again on her artistic adventures Carla Bianpoen Contributor Jakarta As singer Ina "Ubiet" Nyak Raseuki stood in front of Marida Nasution's Blue Opera stage, the tones composed by new music master Tony Prabowo and given life by her unique voice that filled the space of the new gallery at the National Museum, it was as if a world of the ethereal unfolded.

British student sues over dress BRITAIN: A 15-year-old Muslim schoolgirl in Britain filed a case against her college on Friday for banning her from attending classes for wearing a long, flowing jilbab gown, lawyers said. Shabina Begum, whose nationality was not given, considers it her religious right to wear the jilbab, popular in Indonesia. Her case has been filed at London's High Court, where a judge will rule if the complaint has legal grounds.

Jankowski finds RI an object of desire Christina Schott, Contributor, Jakarta Until June 2001, German poet Martin Jankowski divided his biography into two parts -- before and after the reunification of Germany. After June 2001, he still mentions those two parts of his life but with a totally different, geographical specification: before and after his first contact with Indonesia.

Pergola: Climbing plants that will grow on you Maria Endah Hulupi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Pergola, the bower or covered walk made by putting climbing plants over a trellis or similar support, can be a strikingly attractive addition to a home. With proper planning, a particular theme -- such as a romantic looking pergola -- can be created.

Megawati and NU seek 'mutual understanding' Indra Harsaputra and I.D. Nugroho , The Jakarta Post, Malang, East Java Chairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) Megawati Soekarnoputri met on Saturday with the chairman of the largest Muslim organization, the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), and dozens of religious leaders, or kyai, in a visit she claimed was a mere reunion among friends.

Symptoms of childhood cancers The world marks the International Day of Childhood Cancer this Sunday, a time to reflect on the status of countries in dealing with the problem. According to the Indonesian Childhood Cancer Foundation (YOAI), childhood cancer still lacks proper attention from experts in developing countries. Society's awareness is also still low; many parents do not realize that children can have a congenital cancer.

Bali's legendary mystique rediscovered in photos with soul Joseph Mangga, Contributor, Jakarta Huge table-top photo books on Indonesia are nothing new. In fact wander into the gift shop of any major local hotel and you are liable to find a dozen.