Who fights for the poor? Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government's decision to raise fuel prices has sparked public protests. Most people opposed to the rises, including House of Representatives legislators, claim to be fighting for the interests of the poor, who analysts say are the most affected by the rise. In today's cover story, Jakarta Post's reporters look at the impact of fuel prices on the less well off and what measures will be needed to help alleviate their plight.

Japan puts blame on Zico, Nakata for Iran loss Agence France-Presse, Tokyo Japan's World Cup squad returned home on Saturday after a shock 2-1 loss to Iran overnight with coach Zico under fire for gambling too much on out-of-form Fiorentina midfielder Hidetoshi Nakata. It serves them right, cried the headline in the tabloid Nikkan Gendai, which had warned the Brazilian legend would face pressure to resign if the Asian champions lost its next qualifier against Bahrain at home on Wednesday.

Weaving their way to better life The tiny islands of the East Nusa Tenggara archipelago are known for the richness of its hand-woven textiles, or ikat. In recent years, the ikat of Alor island have become widely known and valued as quality hand-woven textiles that use only natural materials, and have even entered the international market.

'Janji Joni' delivers sampler of Jakarta indie music Paul F. Agusta Contributor/Jakarta The new road adventure comedy from Kalyana Shira Films, Janji Joni, to be released on April 28, will take viewers not only on a mad, slap-dash journey through the teeming streets of Indonesia's capital city, but will also invite them into Jakarta's dynamic and diverse indie music scene through its soundtrack.

E. Java capital boasts variety of golf courses Indra Harsaputra and ID Nugroho, Correspondents, Surabaya There are many courses for golf lovers in Surabaya, East Java. But if you want to play golf in an international-standard golf course and at the same time enjoy the cool, fresh air of the mountains, you should try either the Taman Dayu or Finna golf clubs outside the city.

Kalla unveils blueprint for Aceh reconstruction Agencies, Jakarta Vice President Jusuf Kalla presented Aceh community leaders on Saturday with the draft blueprint for the reconstruction of the tsunami-hit area, marking the end of the emergency relief phase in Aceh exactly three months after the disaster. "The emergency relief phase is now over.

Holy Land gives a glimpse of Jesus, Via Dolorosa bTom Anggara, Contributor, Jerusalem The first impression we got when we arrived in the Holy Land was that it was a peaceful place. There were no conflicts such as the ones we often saw on the television back in Indonesia. Some local people that we talked to said that the Israelis and Palestinians would actually like to live in peace in the land. We entered Israel through Jordan, passing a military check point on the border.

Teleworking can cut cost and boost productivity T. Sima Gunawan, Contributor, Jakarta It is a serious meeting. Participants work hard to find ways to improve company performance, and sometimes they argue fiercely against each other. It is like any other meeting. What makes it different is that the participants are not situated in the same room. They are in different places - even in different countries. Teleconferencing is not new here.

Surabaya spas offer Javanese Indra Harsaputra, Contributor, Surabaya A waitress at the Mandarin Oriental Majapahit Hotel here approached a group of guests carrying a tray with a teapot and cups. "Excuse me, would you like to try our SPA tea, free of charge," she said to one of the guests. After the guest sipped the tea, the waitress moved on to another group. A cup of SPA tea at the hotel costs Rp 25,000 (about US$2.70). The hotel also sells tea packages for about Rp 100,000.

List of poor people not quite reliable Adianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A pedicab driver Awa, 33, says his family has not yet received any funds pledged by the government for the poor as compensation for the fuel price rises. "Nobody from the office of the neighborhood chief has came to inform us about it.

Hundreds of Acehnese flee their homes after gas pipeline leak Nani Afrida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh Hundreds of residents of North Aceh regency have been taking refuge away from their homes since Wednesday after a leak in a gas pipeline that passes through their villages.

Will fuel price increases add the number of poor? The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Life is not so sweet for a small cottage industry producing caramelized snacks in Kemanggisan Pulo, West Jakarta, since the fuel price hikes. "Our production has decreased because the increased fuel prices have inflated the prices of raw materials for our products," factory owner Emen Suhaimin said. Even before the increases took effect, raw materials such as corn, rice and sugar were already on the rise, Emen said.

Thousands to attend religious congress INDONESIA: Some 30,000 Muslims are expected to attend the four-day Thariqah al-Mu'tabarah an-Nahdliyah national congress in Pekalongan, Central Java, which will begin on Sunday. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is scheduled to open the meeting of the religious group, which is affiliated with Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the country's largest Muslim organization.

Demand for conventional offices surges The demand for conventional office space in Jakarta is projected to further gain ground this year in line with the more promising outlook in the country's economy. Property consultant Procon estimates that the improvement in business confidence would result in an increase in both domestic and foreign direct investments which would in turn push up the demand for office space particularly in Jakarta.

Churchgoers not put off by warnings The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Jakarta Police's decision to step up security over Easter on Sunday by deploying about 16,000 officers throughout Jakarta provided some comfort to churchgoers concerned by recent travel advisories warning of possible terror attacks over the weekend. "More security makes people feel safer," said Fransz Laug, 69, who was preparing to attend a Saturday Easter Vigil in South Jakarta.

Paras reaches out to change fate of poor Kurniawan Hari The Jakarta Post/Jakarta Once home to an abundant water source, several villages on the slopes of Mt. Merbabu and Mt. Merapi in Central Java are now suffering a water shortage that gets worse during the dry season. The drought has affected the annual harvest of the local community, and the local people say it was caused by the government's policy to grow pine trees on the mountains.

TV Program: Sunday, March 27, 2005 .TB.30" .90" TVRI 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News: Berita Pagi 7:00 Cartoon: Maya The Bee 7:30 Children Puppet: Mechanic 8:00 Children Drama 9:00 Music: Delta 10:00 Sports: Antar Gelanggang 11:30 English for Fun 12:30 p.m.

The Easter Bunny Honobono Slamet walked in his slow, sure step across the sprawling garden that surrounded the white, Dutch-style house. The Javanese in him told him he shouldn't be, but he was proud of the way he had transformed the once weed-riddled yard into a lush, colorful landscape of reds, yellows and fuchsias balanced by all the shades of green the eye could behold.

Acehnese struggle for normalcy three months after tsunami Achmad Sukarsono, Reuters/Banda Aceh Near the seafood market where he worked until killer waves smashed it to bits three months ago, Alimuddin is selling fish again in the provincial capital of Aceh. A massive Indian Ocean earthquake on Dec. 26 sent a tsunami crashing into coasts around the region. Aceh was hardest hit. Almost a quarter of a million Acehnese were killed or are missing, and more than 500,000 survivors lost their homes.

An Easter miracle: When a crook is blessed Submarine! It is not because I am anti-war that I feel bitter when I hear that word. Last year, my family attended an Easter mass in a church in East Jakarta. I told my three children and my wife that we should use Easter as an opportunity to make our family more religious. The church was very crowded but we found seats in the front row.

More companies turn to serviced offices Rudijanto, Contributor, Jakarta Serviced office companies remain optimistic about strong demand this year due to increased inquires and new sign-ups, but are still refraining from expanding in Jakarta despite the encouraging signs. "The economic climate is improving after the elections. That is why all of our suites were fully occupied in the third quarter of last year. Our occupancy rate remains high early this year at over 90 percent.

Acehnese struggle for normalcy 3-months after tsunami Achmad Sukarsono Reuters/Banda Aceh Near the seafood market where he worked until killer waves smashed it to bits three months ago, Alimuddin is selling fish again in the provincial capital of Indonesia's Aceh. A massive Indian Ocean earthquake on Dec. 26 sent a tsunami crashing into coasts around the region. Aceh was hardest hit.

Safety standards needed for traditional cures More than 80 percent of people in developing countries use traditional medicine for primary health care, but are at risk because of a lack of safety standards, research carried out by Consumer International (CI) said on Monday. The organization of consumer watchdogs noted the annual global market for traditional medicine has grown to an estimated US$60 billion from $43 billion in 1995.

Where to go in Jakarta: Sunday, March 27, 2005 Exhibitions * Contemporary Arts Tribe Art Commission / Julian Opie / Jakarta, Museum Nasional, Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat No. 12, Central Jakarta (Tel. 3812346, 3868172), 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., until March 27 * Grafis S. Prinka's Solo Exhibition, at Komunitas Utan Kayu, Jl. Utan Kayu 68H, East Jakarta (Tel. 8573388), until March 30 * Painting Sebuah Tafsir Visual by Muhamad Yusuf, Arok Dedes Pramoedya at Komunitas Utan Kayu, Jl.

Assistance funds must go to those who are entitled Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Some women in the neighborhood are arranging tables and chairs on the veranda of a small mosque here. They are also preparing snacks and tea for refreshments. It is 8:45 a.m. Most of the mothers in the neighborhood will start arriving shortly to have their babies examined by doctors. Regular medical examinations are provided for infants in the RW 8 neighborhood, Pancoran Mas, Depok.

Learn about Indonesia by reading 'Folktales' Endang R.S., Contributor Indonesian Folktales Murti Bunanta Illustrated by G.M. Sudharta Margaret Read MacDonald, ed. Libraries Unlimited 144 pp Indonesian Folktales shows the continuing effort of an Indonesian academic and children's literature expert, Murti Bunanta, to introduce her country to the world -- as well as to her fellow countrymen -- in the field she knows best, folklore.