Dewa must bow to Islamists From Koran Tempo A number of Islamic organizations have reported the Dewa pop rock band to the Jakarta police for failing to change the group's newest album cover, which bears a logo resembling the word Allah. Group leader Dhani, as a Muslim, should apologize to his fellow citizens of the same faith who have given him advice and suggestions to do something good for the sake of Islamic brotherhood.

How a poll hero turned public enemy Moch. N. Kurniawan Jakarta This is a story of a hero-turned public enemy. Mulyana W. Kusumah -- a rights activist and member of the Indonesian Elections Commission (KPU) -- was one of the many so- called "heroes" who it seemed had succeeded in organizing a mammoth task, the 2004 general and presidential election.

Down with smugglers! The recent Asian-African Summit concluded successfully. The hurly-burly of the golden jubilee commemoration of the Asia- Africa Conference may continue, but smugglers are operating like it's business as usual. At least two coincidences occurred during the summit involving one of the summit members, China.

Star returns home to culture shock Karl Wilson, Agence France-Presse/Manila After 20 years performing on the European stage, leading Filipino dancer Augustus Damian has returned home to helm the national ballet -- and a culture shock. Augustus Damian was principal dancer for some of Germany's most prestigious ballet companies before quitting to become the artistic director of Ballet Philippines, but the differences have left him aghast. "In Europe dancers are paid reasonably well ...

Eradicating corruption As an Indonesian scholar I am pleased to read Indonesia: Uprooting graft published in the Economist, April 30, 2005, page 26, by correctly posing the question: "Is President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at last getting serious about tackling corruption?" Unfortunately the government of Indonesia does not have a strategy to eradicate corruption. And above all, the government is unable to distinguish between "corruption due to need" and "corruption due to greed".

Parents feel the bite of high education costs The Jakarta Post Yogyakarta/Semarang Any parent would be proud to see their child graduate. But Sudibyo is far from happy. When his eldest son, Eko Widi, graduates from senior high school this year, Sudibyo will need lots of money since Eko has been accepted for a communications study program at Atma Jaya University in Yogyakarta.

Gloomy picture of a worker's life ID Nugroho The Jakarta Post/Sidoardjo An old bicycle is parked among hundreds of motorcycles near a machinery assembling factory in East Java town of Sidoardjo. The bicycle is rusty, and its seat torn. "It's bad, I know, but this bicycle gets me to work every day," Haryono, a factory worker, told The Jakarta Post. He is one of 16 million workers who earn their living in 870,000 companies across the 37 regencies and municipalities of East Java.

Tremendous growth potential predicted for low cost carriers in Asia Deutsche Presse-Agentur Singapore The potential for budget travel growth in Asia is so huge a top Singapore minister predicted on Wednesday intra-regional air transit will one day overtake the United States. Minister for Transport Yeo Cheow Tong noted budget carriers globally are offering 19 percent more flights this year compared to a year ago at the launching ceremony for the low cost terminal at the Changi Airport.

2 headings for page 20 -- Potpourri 1. FRANCE -- 2 x 24 Joys of French spring hit hot, dry Jakarta 2. LAMAZ -- 2 x 37 Former sailor tells the story of Indonesian women in photographs

Getting more polluted When Director General for Land Transportation Iskandar Abubakar launched the idea of having all private vehicles undergo a roadworthiness test in 2003, he was met with strong resistance from the public. There was widespread suspicion that the test would be a ruse to extort money from motorists. Tests for roadworthiness have been enforced for years but only on commercial and public transport vehicles.

Javanese culture and democracy Although members of the Javanese community may claim they represent a "non-confrontational" culture (Javanese culture barrier to democracy: The Jakarta Post, April 30), it might be arrogant to not consider the experiences of young girls sold into prostitution discussed in the following page of the same issue of the Post (Human trafficking on the rise in East Java).

Lore Lindu: Home to biological, archeological wealth Ruslan Sangadji The Jakarta Post/Poso Lore Lindu National Park is a unique place to visit as it is home to flora and fauna peculiar to Central Sulawesi, as well as prehistoric statues and building blocks. The national park covers an area of 217,991.18 hectares, encompassing Poso and Donggala regencies.

Refrigerators become hot status symbol for 'nouveaux riches' The Jakarta Post Jakarta If a fire strikes Rina's home, irreplaceable valuables such as photo albums and family heirlooms will not be on top of her priority of what-should-be-saved-first list. "Instead, I will try to save my side-by-side refrigerator first," she said, acknowledging that moving the U.S.-made 120- kilogram sleek glass-paneled fridge worth Rp 24 million (US$2,515) by herself would be a bit problematic.

Syafii Maarif and the moderation of Muhammadiyah Hilman Latief Kalamazoo, Michigan At the next Muhammadiyah Congress from July 3-8 in Malang, East Java, the issue of the organization's leadership will feature prominently. Ahmad Syafii Maarif has already confirmed he will not be standing for the Muhammadiyah post of chairman, creating a power vacuum that will have to be filled.

TV Today: Saturday, May 7, 2005 TVRI 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News: Berita Pagi 7:00 Cartoon: Tabulaga 7:30 Religious Teachings 8:00 Talk Show: Hembing 10:30 Music 11:30 Oto Screen 1:00 p.m. News: Berita Siang 1:30 Documentary 2:00 Music 3:00 English News Service 4:30 Comedy 5:00 Hello Friends 5:30 Documentary: Wazz Up 6:00 Battle of Wits 7:00 News: Berita Nasional 8:05 Film 9:00 News: Dunia Dalam Berita 9:30 Music 10:30 Sitcom 11:00 Documentary 11:30 Cultural Show TPI 6:00 a.m.

KPU's graft exposure From Republika With the arrest of Mulyana W. Kusumah, a rights campaigner and member of the General Elections Commission (KPU), as a non- governmental organization activist I feel concerned over Mulyana's alleged bribery involvement. However, while hoping the case will not become a bad precedent and induce cynicism, I think that in a muddled bureaucratic system, even a wise man may be caught in a difficult situation.