People told to vote for the rich PADANG, West Sumatra: Golkar Party member and former manpower minister Abdul Latief visited his hometown here not to campaign for his party but for Zairin Kasim, a Regional Representative Council (DPD) candidate. Other Golkar members, including chairman of the party's provincial chapter here Leonardi Harmaini, were also present to support Zairin, who owns an automotive show room.

Safety last: Cutting corners and hanging by a thread If illusionist David Blaine had been with me that afternoon, I swear he would have had to go home to change his shorts. What I witnessed on Jl. Rasuna Said in South Jakarta was an outrageously dangerous act, performed by either a very brave local worker or an absolute moron with no sense of personal safety.

Susilo bounces back with presidential bid The Jakarta Post, Jakarta, Former Cabinet minister Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono issued an appeal for respect of political differences, as both he and his former boss President Megawati Soekarnoputri enjoyed a warm welcome on Saturday from their respective supporters. In the East Java town of Banyuwangi, Susilo called on the Democratic Party followers to give him the support he needed to resolve the country's chronic and multidimensional problems.

Spa treatment relaxes your body and mind T. Sima Gunawan, Contributor, Jakarta Stressed out by the frantic pace of urban life? Jakartans have found a new way to unwind. Its not playing golf, squash or tennis, nor is it exercising in a fitness center. It seems that physical exercise has been forgotten in the pursuit of professional pampering. Communications expert Kafi Kurnia, says this new trend is really taking off.

Another way to keep your body in good shape Debbie A. Lubis, Contributor, Jakarta As people's intake of fatty, sugar-laden and salted food continues to rise, obesity has become a major threat, especially for women. Recent research conducted in America, which studied 115,000 women, shows that those who are obese will be twice as likely to suffer heart attacks and angina. Being obese also causes women to lack self-confidence.

Teen music: What's cool, what's hot, what's not Clara E. Summers and Celeste C. De Jong Zumaeta, Contributor, Bogor, West Java Have you noticed kids on the streets? Most of them are wearing earphones and are happily tuning out the world with rock, rap, hip hop and pop. The songs are often about love, life, freedom and friendship, but sometimes they include obscene phrases and swearing.

Do we have to live in poverty to understand it? Sondang Grace Sirait, Contributor, Jakarta The other week I was out with my boyfriend, circling the Pondok Indah area to find a decent dinner. Or supper, rather, since it was past 10 at night. Half an hour later, after a round of spaghetti bolognaise and fish-and-chips at a cafe, we started making our way home. I was about to hop on the car when something caught my eye.

Do we have to live in poverty to understand it? Sondang Grace Sirait, Contributor, Jakarta The other week I was out with my boyfriend, circling the Pondok Indah area to find a decent dinner. Or supper, rather, since it was past 10 at night. Half an hour later, after a round of spaghetti bolognaise and fish-and-chips at a cafe, we started making our way home. I was about to hop on the car when something caught my eye.

Photo Focus Issue JP/P.J. Leo A woman enjoys a Jacuzzi at a Martha Tilaar spa center in Prapanca, South Jakarta as part of the traditional spa treatment provided by the center. JP A member of a Jakarta fitness club uses the latest version of a stationary bike to firm her thighs. Fitness centers generally offer a variety of exercise equipment to their customers.

Zakki Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Young Indonesian star Sunu Wahyu Trijati won the 2004 Salonpas International Junior Tennis Championships for the second consecutive year after he beat second seed Luka Ocvirk of Slovenia 6-3, 6-3 at the Kemayoran Tennis Center on Saturday. However, teaming up with Thai Weerapat Doakmaiklee in the men's doubles final, Sunu failed to achieve a double victory, as their contending pair, Japanese Takanobu Fujii/Lai Xiao Peng of Hong Kong upset them 6-4, 6-2.

AOL-Time Warner: How a sure thing fizzled Ignatius Haryanto, Contributor, Jakarta There Must Be A Pony in Here Somewhere: The AOL Time Warner Debacle and the Quest for the Digital Future Kara Swisher with Lisa Dickey, Crown Business, 2003 xi + 306 pp Back in January 2000, the world was shocked when an unprecedented mega deal was signed between America On Line, an established Internet provider in the U.S., and major media company Time Warner.

PAN vows to boost peace in Maluku AMBON, Maluku: Some 3,000 supporters of the National Mandate Party (PAN) flocked Merdeka square here on Saturday for the first rally held by the party during the campaign period. The party brought in several artists from Jakarta, including singers Dian Novita and Yopi Latul, who rocked the crowd with their music.

Made in India, or looks like it, for fashion clout Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indian fashion travels well: From the heyday of the silk road to Paris and New York runway shows today, the garments have never failed to inspire with the exoticism of their rich colors and intricate details. The capital is no exception in getting caught up in the frenzy over kurti (tunic shirts), pashmina, saris, salwar khameez (long tunic dress), accessories and home decorations from India.

Gade keeps up jinx on Taufik BRITAIN: Indonesia's Taufik Hidayat had his dream of an All England men's singles title quashed once again as he lost 15-9, 15-9 in the semifinal to nemesis Peter Gade of Denmark on Saturday. The 16th seeded Bandung native, whose career has been hampered by injury, was unable to rise to the challenge against the 12th seeded Dane, repeating his loss from the 1999 All England final.

Finding fitness equipment in Jakarta Sudibyo M. Wiradji, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The growing awareness about the importance of sport for health among the public has had a positive effect on the sale of fitness and health equipment, such as treadmills, stationary bikes, rowing machines and multigyms. "The demand for fitness equipment, both for home and commercial use, is on the rise because fitness has become a growing lifestyle," said Prima Fit's Consumer Brand & Service Manager Patric Lim.

Say what? How much English is too much English Krabbe K.E. Piting, Contributor, Jakarta Bali, December 2003. I was having a delightfully cheap sushi dinner with a friend at the back of a popular Japanese restaurant (owned by the Yakuza, if you believe the rumors). There were only two other groups in our section of the restaurant: a couple in their late teens and a pack of raucous Japanese tourists.

Clean living: Harmony in minimalist home Maria Endah Hulupi, The Jakarta Post, Bogor, West Java Nestled amid beautiful natural surroundings in Cimahpar, Bogor, the compact, three-story house is a comfortable yet functional home for its owners, and stands as a work of art in the neighborhood.

Voice of the people: Take your pick of music courses There are dozens of music courses in town, all having their own specialities on offer, although at first glance at their signboard it's often hard to tell apart. If you have ambitions of singing for your supper, just want to perfect that bathroom baritone or tinker on the ivories, scan the following list. At the end of the day, your choice may well hinge on which school is closest to home. Sekolah Musik Yayasan Pendidikan Musik (YPM) Jl.

New restaurant Papadum an audacious taste of India Bruce Emond The Jakarta Post Jakarta The past couple of years have brought a few new welcome additions to the once thin-on-the-ground Indian restaurants in these here parts, joining mainstays Haveli, Queen's Tandoor and Jewel of India, as well as Hazara and Shah Jahan which came on board in the mid-1990s.

Courses strike a chord with Mozarts in training Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Maybe the deafening MTV message -- it's ultra-cool to sing, be in a band and feast on the trappings of success -- is hitting home. Or perhaps people are just more aware of the importance of a musical education in shaping an intellectually well-rounded individual. Whatever the reason, the capital is now home to an ever increasing number of music courses.

Man nabbed for burning PKB flag SURABAYA: Police arrested Tikno, a resident of Pakis subdistrict here on Saturday for burning flags belonging to the National Awakening Party (PKB) early in the day. The incident took place in front of a mosque in Simokerto area when several security guards of PKB were preparing for a rally at Pancasila Sports Hall. Tikno, who was drunk, asked for a T-shirt, but was rejected. Upset, Tikno then burned the green flags and fled before police nabbed him at his house.

'Galigo' production gets rousing reception in Singapore Tantri Yuliandini, The Jakarta Post, Singapore Thunderous applause and a standing ovation greeted the close of Friday's world theatrical premiere of I La Galigo, directed by the acclaimed Robert Wilson and featuring more than 50 of Indonesia's finest performers. The venue was the 2,000-seat Theater at the Esplanade in Singapore, but it could have been a gala night in Jakarta, as batik was the attire of choice.

DPD picks reach out to the people in Jakarta The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Three days into the election campaign on Saturday, candidates for the Regional Representatives Council (DPD) visited, and talked and sang with the people in an attempt to win their votes. Bambang Warih Koesoema, a non-governmental organization (NGO), activist visited Utan Kayu, Kramat and Manggari, three eviction- prone districts in East Jakarta.

New restaurant an audacious taste of India Bruce Emond, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The past couple of years have brought welcome additions to the once thin-on-the-ground Indian restaurants in these here parts, joining mainstays Haveli, Queen's Tandoor and Jewel of India, as well as Hazara and Shah Jahan which came on board in the mid- 1990s.

Where to go in Jakarta: Sunday, March 14, 2004 Exhibitions * Hina Ningyoo Japanese Dolls at Galeri Mini, Pusat Kebudayaan Jepang - The Japan Foundation, Summitmas I, Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 61-62 South Jakarta (Tel. 5201266), 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., until March 19. * Peppermint Lounge by Dewi Aditia, Expatri Art Gallery, Jl. Abdul Majid no. 14, South Jakarta (Tel. 7255856), until March 28. * Photo Lagee Boh Sunti, Lontar Gallery, Jl. Utan Kayu 68H, East Jakarta (Tel. 70798626), until March 19.

Caught in a road trap As the Jakarta administration moves to improve the quality of life in the city, more roads are being constructed to try to ease the capital's notorious traffic jams. But construction of several underpasses and overpasses at different locations across the city in the past two years -- like the overpass at Pasar Rebo intersection in East Jakarta featured here -- has led to increased congestion.

Vocal coach Bertha's unchained melody Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta There are many adjectives to describe the rather complicated personality of singing guru Bertha, but let's start with "moody". Run a few feeling-out questions her way, even the basic one like when she started as a voice coach, and you get a shrugged, "I don't know, I just did". Must singers take voice coaching lessons? "I don't know. If they want to. But if they're not in the mood, then don't".

On the record Artist : bip Album : Udara Segar (Aquarius Musikindo) Formed by three former members of rock group Slank, bip did not have much to offer when they released an album four years ago, which was a flop. A second album later showed signs of the band's true talent, although it only enjoyed moderate sales. But with a couple of catchy tunes, they received good airplay, coverage and gigs.

In the article Health study prompts recall of famous dog, cat food brand, printed on this page in Saturday's edition, the customer service hot line for distributor PT Effem Indonesia was incorrect. The number is (021) 7890541. We regret any inconvenience caused to PT Effem Indonesia or our readers. -- Editor

Names of 'crooked politicians' released Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Constituents got a helping hand on Saturday, as the long-awaited list of what non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have called crooked politicians was made public. The list, initially expected to be released before the first day of political parties' campaign on March 11, lists candidates for the provincial level of House of Representatives (DPR) and the Regional Representatives Council (DPD).