Indonesia thumps NZ to stay in Group 1 Zakki Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia has retained its place in Asia-Oceania Group 1 for next season's Davis Cup after securing an overall 3-0 win on Saturday over New Zealand in their second round playoffs at the Bung Karno Open Tennis Stadium in Jakarta.

Ethnic minorities protest in Vietnam VIETNAM: Ethnic minority villagers staged a protest Saturday in Vietnam's troubled Central Highlands province of Daklak, the site of mass demonstrations over religion and land issues three years ago, according to police and government officials. Authorities blocked the villagers, also known as Montagnards, from entering the provincial capital city of Buon Ma Thuot, a local government official said under condition of anonymity.

Nova, Vita through to Japan Open final The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Nova Widianto and Vita Marissa of Indonesia advanced to the mixed doubles final at the Japan Open after dispatching Jens Eriksen and Mette Schjoldager of Denmark 15-5, 15-12 in the semifinals on Saturday.

Easier to become a minister than a legislator Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta One thing that people tend to overlook regarding the legislative election is the fact that it is easier to become a minister than a legislator. As in many other countries, ministerial appointments in Indonesia are the exclusive privilege of the president-elect. There is no regulation stipulating the criteria for becoming a minister, but it is an arduous task to become a legislator.

Excuse me? When customer service is missing in action Krabbe K. Piting Contributor Jakarta Remember that scene from Pretty Woman where Julia Roberts' Vivian was brushed off by the mightier-than-thou Rodeo Drive shop assistant? I had to stop myself from shouting "Go Vivian!" when she turned up at the same store the next day fresh from another shopping spree, all done up and laden with shopping bags, having a silent go at the aforementioned shop assistant. Ah, revenge is sweet.

What's your poison? Finding some stress relief Aida Greenbury, Contributor, Jakarta Living in this decrepit metropolitan city can be really depressing. What's new, right? Face it -- it's hard to follow grandma's advice to always think positive and always make sure to be surrounded by positive energy in this place.

Farah tests the fashion waters on a trip home Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Designer Farah Angsana sat elegantly behind a desk in the study of the Grand Hyatt's penthouse, where she had a trunk sale recently. She admitted she was emotionally and physically exhausted. "I've been traveling so much. I have so many plans in my mind about my business. Unfortunately, I don't have many people around me to tell about how the future of my business is going to be," she said in a guarded tone.

Parties up the ante over 'unfair' polls M. Taufiqurrahman and Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The number of political parties rejecting the legitimacy of this year's legislative election has grown -- and so have their demands. Not satisfied with a recount, they are now calling for nationwide reelections.

Guests need more than just comfortable rooms Sudibyo M. Wiradji and Debbie A. Lubis, The Jakarta Post/Contributor, Jakarta At most star-rated hotels, the guests are considered kings who are highly valued, which means that customer satisfaction is the hotels' highest priority. But guests' expectations in terms of services and facilities change from time to time, prompting hotels to continually update in order to meet customers' expectations.

House of Irsan steps into a brave new world Agatha Belinda, Contributor, Nusa Dua, Bali Ready or not, we are entering a whole new world of fashion in Indonesia, thanks to Bali-based fashion designer Irsan. In his show titled "A man in a woman's body" for his House of Irsan label, the shy designer displayed 58 looks in a brave, avant-garde styled pret-a porter collection. The much anticipated show, held at the Convention Center in Nusa Dua last Saturday, was his first major solo fashion show.

Not just for laughs with comic actor Mat Adhi Abhiyasa, Contributor, Jakarta Anyone who says that the cachet of beautiful faces is the only trick to earn high ratings and commercial benefits should stand corrected right here, right now. Turn on private TV station TransTV any night of the week from 6:30 p.m., and you will find the reason why we should not let our airwaves become dominated by all those pretty people displaying their ugly acting.

Persijatim stuns Persikota as league resumes after poll break Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang After almost a month-long break due to the campaigning period for legislative elections, the Indonesian premier soccer league resumed on Saturday with Persijatim of Surakarta upsetting host Persikota 1-0 at Benteng Stadium in Tangerang in the only match on the day. Akyar Ilyas scored the winning goal for the visitors in the 39th minute to lift his team from the relegation zone.

Trio of designers show their stuff In a recent interview here, Indonesian-born designer Farah Angsana said it was strange and sad that she had to go all the way to Paris to make her name. But she also noted the outstanding talent to be found here. "I see some of their works from magazines brought by my friends. Like Eddy Betty, Adrian Gan..such perfectionist Indonesian couturiers.., Sebastian Gunawan, Didi Budiarjo," she said.

TV Program: Sunday, April 11, 2004 .TB.30" .90" TVRI 6:00 a.m. Morning News 7:00 Children's Program: Dongeng Anak 8:00 Documentary 9:00 Music: Delta 10:00 TV Drama 11:00 Music 1:00 p.m. News: Berita Siang 1:30 TV Drama 2:30 English News Service 3:00 Music 3:30 City News 4:00 TV Drama: Komseko 6:30 English for Fun 7:00 News 7:30 Music: Dansa Yo Dansa 9:00 News: Dunia Dalam Berita 11:30 TV Drama TPI 6:00 a.m.

Nearly 70 percent of Jakarta counted, Mooryati sitting pretty The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Around 70 percent of some six million ballot papers in Jakarta have been counted as of Saturday at 8 p.m., the sixth day after the April 5 legislative election. The figure of the ballot papers was different compared to the data of eligible voters of 6,478,005 recorded by the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) during the registration period.

Not just for laughs with comic actor Mat Adhi Abhiyasa Contributor Jakarta Anyone who says a cache of beautiful faces is the only trick to earn high ratings and commercial benefits should stand corrected right here, right now. Turn on private TV station TransTV any night of the week from 6 p.m., and you will find the reason why we should not let our airwaves become dominated by all those pretty faces displaying their ugly acting.

If only we could turn back time Dewi K It was still cold that late afternoon after the rain. I sat on the rear porch, facing the small garden. I gently stroked my chair, and it was as cold as my heart. There was a chill about everything in the house. You were buried early this afternoon. My relatives have gone now and I have put my children to bed to rest. I am at a loss what to do. I have shed all my tears, but now I cry in my heart.

Designer Farah tests the fashion waters on a trip home Hera Diani The Jakarta Post Jakarta Designer Farah Angsana sat elegantly behind a desk in the study of the Grand Hyatt's penthouse, where she had a trunk sale recently. She admitted she was exhausted, both emotionally and physically. "I've been traveling so much. I have so many plans in my mind about my business.

RI issues travel warning for UK INDONESIA: Indonesia has advised its citizens to avoid traveling to Britain due to fears of possible terror attacks following the recent bombings in Spain. "The terrorism threat is moving to Great Britain, particularly to cities," said a statement issued by the Indonesian Embassy in London that was received on Saturday.

Solar power Calling himself a comic actor, not a comedian, Mat Solar has emerged from career exile in the 1980s to star in Bajaj Bajuri, one of the most popular TV sitcoms of recent years. Page 3 Alien territory Ready or not, we are entering a whole new world of fashion, thanks to Bali-based fashion designer Irsan. The shy designer displayed 58 looks in a brave, avant-garde styled pret-a porter collection. Page 15

Getting the word out It was a Sunday afternoon, as Doom Island residents in Sorong, Papua, waited for the arrival of Sri Rosiati and Sri Irianingsih, better known as the "twin sister teachers" and founders of the Kartini Emergency School for underprivileged children in Jakarta.

PDI-P ahead but Golkar controls more provinces The Jakarta Post, Jakarta President Megawati Soekarnoputri's Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) maintained the slimmest of leads in the legislative election on Saturday, but House Speaker Akbar Tandjung's Golkar Party ruled in more than half of the country's 32 provinces. By 10:30 p.m.

House of Irsan steps into a brave new world Agatha Belinda Contributor Nusa Dua, Bali Ready or not, we are entering a whole new world of fashion in Indonesia, thanks to Bali-based fashion designer Irsan. In his show titled "A man in a woman's body" for his House of Irsan label, the shy designer displayed 58 looks in a brave, avant-garde styled pret-a porter collection. The much anticipated show, held at the Convention Center in Nusa Dua last Saturday, was his first major solo fashion show.

Voting abroad not all fun and games Dewi Anggraeni, Contributor, Melbourne, Australia If it had not been for the security check at the gate, the atmosphere inside would have reminded a visitor of a party in full swing. The front and rear yards of the Indonesian Consulate General in Melbourne, Victoria, had been taken over by white marquees, some adorned with red stripes. People were chatting and laughing, and in the courtyard off the rear entrance were tables selling food and drink.

Seven hurt as gunmen attack Poso church Ruslan Sangadji, The Jakarta Post, Palu, Central Sulawesi Two unidentified gunmen stormed into a church in the troubled region of Poso on Saturday night, firing a hail of bullets at a congregation attending an Easter sermon and injuring seven, including a four-year-old girl. The attack happened just two weeks after two fatal shootings in the regency, one which killed a clergyman.

Public relations: Exciting jobs but quite challenging T. Sima Gunawan, Contributor, Jakarta The phone kept ringing. Dozens of different people called her, asking the same questions. The woman was stressed, tired and weary, but she tried her best to keep calm and answer the questions patiently. "That's the consequence of my job," Mellani Solagratia, the public relations manager of the JW Marriott Hotel in Jakarta, said as she recalled the frantic moments surrounding the Aug.