PPP figure Buya Hasan passes away The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Buya Ismail Hasan Metareum, former leader of the country's largest Islamic political party the United Development Party (PPP) passed away on Saturday morning after being hospitalized for diabetes with severe complications at Pelni Hospital, Central Jakarta. He was 76. He is survived by his wife, Mariani, whom he married in 1959, five children and several grandchildren.

The Indonesian film industry has shown signs of recovery over the past few years. While that is encouraging, the industry still needs more support, particularly from the government, if it is to continue growing. This Sunday's edition seeks to look into the issue as part of the commemoration of National Film Day on March 30.

Indonesia in the future Afina Zahra Sholiha (14) Class 2U/YPII An-Nisaa Sr. High School I was hoping Indonesia would be a better place for all of us. No more corruption, war, disaster, trash, etc. But the question is when? When will we have that Indonesia? I think the major problem is self-consciousness. If only our government's laws were stricter, I'm sure that Indonesia would be cleaner and safer. As for education, I think many children are not getting it properly.

A slice of local history in Malang Dewi Anggraeni, Contributor, Malang While it would be interesting to see a demographic study of the types of people various hotels are seeking to attract as guests, it would be equally enlightening to see how unusual and idiosyncratic hotels come to have their unique characteristics. If you happen to visit Malang in East Java, are prepared to linger a little, and are curious about the cultural history of Java, then try staying at Tugu Park Hotel.

What's become of our film industry? M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Indonesian film industry has shown signs of recovery over the past few years. While that is encouraging, the industry still needs more support, particularly from the government, if it is to continue growing. This Sunday's edition seeks to look into the issue as part of the commemoration of National Film Day on March 30.

The Widow of Wonosobo Yundi Aditya He had been traveling for a long time. That's what he told us when we first met, and I think it was true. He looked tired, and he was so quiet. He had the look of a man who had been on the road for many days and weeks. He wasn't like the other tourists that came our way. I'm used to them by now. After all, I make my living mostly by guiding them around the Dieng Plateau and visiting all the candi (temples) ruins there. No, he wasn't like them.

Magician Reyes reaches semis Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Top seed Efren Reyes of the Philippines won his quarterfinal match against Kuo Po-Cheng of Chinese Taipei in the second leg of the San Miguel Asian 9-ball Tour at the Hanggar Billiard and Recreation Center here on Saturday. Three-time world 8-ball champion Reyes defeated Kuo 9-8 to set up a semifinal match against 16-year-old Wu Chia-Ching of Chinese Taipei, who edged out Wanshana Poomjaeng of Thailand 9-2.

Selangor exudes marvels of man, nature Leony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, Selangor An easy way to rate a destination, so I've discovered after six years of being -- more like trying to be -- a travel buff, is to look at what still excites you a few months after your visit. Selangor state in Malaysia is easily overlooked by visitors blinded by the glistening shopper's haven of Kuala Lumpur, which is actually located within its borders but is federal territory.

Indonesia's education Annisa Eska Larasati (14), Class 3T/YPII An-Nisaa Sr. High School A country has to realize how important education is to move forward. Indonesia seems not to have realized this, which makes our country move backward. A long time ago, Malaysia recruited teachers from our country, but now we are far behind Malaysia [in education]. To make Indonesia's education grow again, we need to invest some money into it. The money has to be invested wisely and not corrupted.

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.

Education in Indonesia Meizar Reza Iskandar (14), Class 3D/YPII An-Nisaa Sr. High School Geographically, Indonesia has a lot of natural resources waiting to be found and used. Statistically, Indonesia has a lot of human resources with great potential to develop Indonesia from many sectors. Universally, Indonesia has very great potential to recover and become a strong nation. But all this potential and factors of development need quality developers: human [beings], the people of Indonesia.

An-Nisaa: Instilling values for leadership Chisato Hara, The Jakarta Post, Banten "Let those ... Have the same fear in their minds As they would have for their own If they had left a helpless family behind: Let them fear God ..." -- The Holy Koran, An'Nisaa: 9, A. Yusuf Ali trans. Brilliant white buildings with turquoise trim rise behind the small auto service shops that crowd Jl. Raya Jombang in Bintaro, Banten.

Old run-down cinemas stay open for sentimental reasons Sally Piri, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta It was raining outside as moviegoers chatted in the foyer of the Grand cinema in Senen, Central Jakarta, while waiting for the 9 p.m. show to start on a Sunday evening. Some motorcycles were seen in the parking lot. Most of the moviegoers had apparently come by bus.

Nepal's king to visit China, Indonesia NEPAL: Nepal's King Gyanendra is to visit China and Indonesia in the third week of April, a newspaper report said on Saturday. The largest circulated Nepali language daily Kantipur, quoting high-level government sources, reported that the Nepalese monarch will participate in the Boao Forum for Asia being held in China from April 22 to April 24.

Superbug hits S'pore hospital All non-emergency surgery has been canceled at Singapore's top hospital, where 15 patients have been hit by a drug-resistant strain of bacteria, but the public was urged on Saturday not to become alarmed. Singapore General Hospital (SGH) said it is testing another 933 patients who may have come into contact with vancomycin- resistant enterococci (VRE). It does not cause disease in healthy people.

Christine Hakim at the Deauville Asian Film Festival Kunang Helmi, Contributor, Paris On Friday morning of 11th March, the grande dame of Indonesian cinema, Christine Hakim, sat with graceful poise for this interview. We were surrounded by the old-fashioned glamor of the lobby of the grandest hotel in this posh French seaside resort. The ceilings of the lobby of The Royal Hotel are at least 20 meters high.

'Govt has neglected moviemakers for too long' Yuki Aditya, 25, is currently working as a freelance writer after recently graduating with an economics degree from a state university. He claims to be an avid filmgoer, and enjoys collecting rare films. I personally think that Indonesian films generally still lack the quality that would make them both artistic and memorable, except for Arisan, which I found satisfying.

An introduction to Indian cuisine Shabana Akbany, Contributor, Jakarta The gradual awakening of interest in Indian cuisine is reflected in the worldwide mushrooming of the Indian food business. Not so very long ago, Indian food was considered "strange" and "mysterious", but now it is not at all uncommon to hear all around the world "Hey, let's have curry tonight".

Youth takes on sex, lies, and gender Kenny Santana, Contributor, Jakarta "I'd kill myself if I were a lesbian," a senior high school student in Medan said during the British Film Festival (BFF) 2005 held in five cities. Themed Gender Issues Represented in the Cinema, this year's BFF toured the nation and held an essay competition open to senior high school students in Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Malang, Makassar and Medan.

Rescuers save man trapped for five days The Jakarta Post, Nias, Jakarta Rescuers pulled out a quake survivor trapped in a collapsed house on Saturday, five days after an 8.7-magnitude earthquake struck the remote Nias island, where up to 2,000 are feared to have been crushed under their homes. A rescue team tried to free the man after Indonesian soldiers picking through rubble in the Nias capital of Gunung Sitoli said they heard a voice. "Help, I'm very weak.

'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.

Farid, a surgeon who cares about HIV/AIDS Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The fact that he has been involved in the campaign against HIV/AIDS in the country for nearly four years, demonstrates Farid Wadjdi Husain's commitment to fighting the epidemic here. By his own account, he knew very little about the epidemic until he worked for the office of the Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare.

Government killing film industry with tax burdens Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Horror movie actress Suzanna was perhaps one of the few reasons why the Indonesian film industry stayed in business in the 1990s after producers and film activists turned their eyes to television soap operas.

'Yellow window' to knowledge opens in Indonesia Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A window has been opened through which people can look at the beauty and uniqueness of Indonesia's diverse nature. The window is National Geographic Indonesia, the Indonesian- language version of the famous National Geographic magazine, which was launched here on Monday. Terrence B.

Sahara -- Dinner at the oasis Susanna Tjokro, Contributor, Jakarta I've read in some articles that lamb and mutton are the preferred meats in Morocco. I'm not usually a fan of lamb and mutton, so I was pleasantly surprised to discover that I actually enjoyed the Moroccan and Tunisian cuisine served at the Sahara restaurant, including its Lamb Tagine.

TV Program: Sunday, April 3, 2005 .TB.30" .90" TVRI 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News: Berita Pagi 7:00 Cartoon: Maya The Bee 8:00 Children Drama 9:00 Music: Delta 10:00 Sports: Antar Gelanggang 11:30 English for Fun 12:30 p.m. Robocon 1:00 News: Berita Siang 1:30 Nature Documentary 3:00 English News Service 4:30 Comedy 5:00 Cartoon: Tabulaga 5:30 Documentary 7:00 News: Berita Nasional 7:30 Documentary 8:00 TV Series: Love 9:00 News: Dunia Dalam Berita 9:30 Music TPI 6:00 a.m.

Relief chopper crashes in Nias Associated Press, Canberra An Australian navy helicopter carrying up to 11 people crashed on Saturday on the earthquake-devastated island of Nias, the defense ministry said, and media reported that nine people were killed. The navy Sea King helicopter crashed in the afternoon near the town of Gunung Sitoli, off the west coast of Sumatra, a defense statement said.

KL: A one-night affair Leony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, Kuala Lumpur Dragging ourselves away from the plush beds and cozy sofa in our rooms at PNB Darby Park after our afternoon arrival, my companions and I went straight to the nearby Kuala Lumpur City Center mall at the base of the Petronas twin towers, determined to take in the capital overnight.

Sehwag, Dravid slam centuries to boost India Reuters, Cochin, India Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid struck fighting centuries as India posted 281 for eight from their 50 overs in the first one- day international against Pakistan on Saturday. The two shared in a 201-run stand of the third wicket, rescuing the hosts after they were reeling at four for two on a flat wicket in hot, humid conditions.

Disaster strikes twice Disaster strikes twice A powerful earthquake measuring 8.7 on the Richter scale jolted the island of Nias at 11:10 p.m. on March 28, when most of its inhabitants were in bed. Residents rushed out of their homes, and North Sumatra again rang with the cries of its shocked and frightened people. The quake came only three months after the Dec. 26 disaster in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam, where relief efforts are now moving into long-term rehabilitation programs.

'Let them eat cake,' says 31-years-young Borobudur Hotel Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Two women dressed in traditional outfits greeted guests in the Borobudur Hotel's lobby last Wednesday evening. One of them was wielding a knife and the other getting tissues ready. They were not intent on scaring the guests or kids, however. Instead, they were offering arriving guests a slice of cake. "Thank you," said three-year-old Michael, after receiving his slice.

JP/6/annisaa An-Nisaa builds leadership through spiritual, moral guidance Chisato Hara The Jakarta Post/Banten "Let those ... Have the same fear in their minds As they would have for their own If they had left a helpless family behind: Let them fear God ..." -- The Holy Koran, An'Nisaa: 9, A. Yusuf Ali trans. Brilliant white buildings with turquoise trim rise behind the small auto service shops that crowd Jl. Raya Jombang in Bintaro, Banten.