Chocolate mosque is feast for the eyes, not palateBy Monika Winarto JAKARTA (JP): Chocoholics be warned. The delectable food has been carved into the shape of a mosque for this Ramadhan, and the model now graces the lobby of the Shangri-La Hotel in Central Jakarta.

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Foot soldiers in the war against povertyKisah-Kisah IDT, Penuturan 100 Sarjana Pendamping (Stories of the IDT Program, Perspectives of 100 Participating Scholars) Edited by Mubyarto Aditya Media Press Yogyakarta, 1997 Price Rp 22, 500 557 pp.

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Boxing body wants Prabowo as new chief JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Amateur Boxing Association hopes the Army's Special Forces commandant-general, Maj. Gen. Prabowo Subianto, will become its next chairman.

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Batik artist Ardianto amasses objects of desireBy Dini S. Djalal YOGYAKARTA (JP): Ardianto Pranata is worried.

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'Sesando', a unique East Nusa Tenggara souvenirBy Yakob Herin KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara (JP): Each of the country's 27 provinces has its own uniqueness, not only in customs, but also in the arts and culture. East Nusa Tenggara, for example, is the only place where the sesando is found.

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ASEAN masters' works not ruled by uniformity of styleBy Amir Sidharta KUALA LUMPUR (JP): Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad had a surprise in store when he opened an exhibition of works of ASEAN masters in Selangor in conjunction with the informal 30th ASEAN Summit 1997.

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Paying Homage Since the deceased was buried this morning in a simple ceremonythe family has consoled itself in its own waybecause the late, however beloved he might have been,will never come back againOnly the father and son try to hide their sadness behind poignant grins"He has devotedly woken ...

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Art community doubtful of govt's commitmentBy Amir Sidharta and Budiman Moerdijat JAKARTA (JP): The art community and the government have traditionally been uneasy bedfellows.

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Ramadhan time for JakartaSundayMaghrib 6:17 p.m.MondayImsak 4:15 a.m.Subuh 4:25 a.m.

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'Contact' hits the world beyond with movie magicBy Laksmi Pamuntjak-Djohan JAKARTA (JP): Contact, which has been lauded as the year's "thinking man's sci-fi", may have taken some time to arrive at our multiplexes, but it's really worth the wait.

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TV todayTVRI 6:00 a.m. TVRI News 6:25 Morning News 6:45 Religious Teachings: Hikmah Pagi 7:15 Healthy and Fit 7:30 Children's Program: Arena Kami 8:00 Brudy and Family 8:30 Cartoon Film 9:00 People and Event 9:30 Talk Show: Disekitar Kita 10:00 TVRI News 10:30 Music: Album ...

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Edi Sedyawati reconciles roles in art and govtBy Edith Hartanto JAKARTA (JP): Don't lump Director General of Cultural Affairs Edi Sedyawati among those gray bureaucrats with scant understanding of their field.The 60-year-old professor is an accomplished dancer who continues to perform.

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Ponorogo spiritualists take young men as 'wives'By Rohmat Kemislegi PONOROGO, East Java (JP): Homosexuality is often considered a phenomenon of modern, urban societies, represented by thriving gay and lesbian communities in cities such as Sydney and San Francisco.

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Will fine arts shine in Year of Art and Culture?By Amir Sidharta JAKARTA (JP): On New Year's Day, President Soeharto designated 1998 as the Year of Art and Culture, placing it in the context of the Visit Indonesia Decade begun in 1993.

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Now is the right time to buy things JAKARTA (JP): "I need the damn thing," Johan said. "Like you need a bullet between your eyes," I retorted. "Look, you've been bitching about needing money, and now you're throwing the stuff at something you shouldn't even consider buying.

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Spectacular Green Canyon is new stop on tourist trailText and photos by Sri Lestari CIAMIS, West Java (JP): Fancy a vacation that will help you briefly turn your back on the monetary crisis and also not leave your pockets empty?As a trip abroad is out of the question for most of us due to the ...

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A young woman named TanglierBy Sori Siregar Dangin cleared his throat to distract Tanglier's attention from a calculator. The young woman turned her head."Can I move to the first or second floor?" he asked."Your room?""Eight-one-eight.

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Art and culture for tourists President Soeharto has declared 1998 the Year of Art and Culture to strengthen the nation's identity and to lure foreign tourists in this time of crisis. The Jakarta Post's reporters Budiman Moerdijat, Devi M.

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Sardono, Jim honored as guardian of Indonesia's artsBy Chandra Johan JAKARTA (JP): The year 1997 ended in joy for Indonesians Sardono W. Kusumo and Jim Supangkat.

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Arts community waits and sees on year aheadBy Rita A. Widiadana JAKARTA (JP): Local artists must be jumping for joy after the declaration of 1998 as the Year of Arts and Culture, right?Mixed emotions would be a better description.

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Welcome oh Ramadhan Marhaban Ya RamadhanWelcome oh Ramadhanthe month of wisdomin which Moslemsmultiply their devotional actions,exercise the virtue of self-restraintenduring hunger and thirstcontrolling their temper, amorousness,putting at bay all other passionsFrom dawn to sunset Marhaban Ya ...

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Seven projects shelved again JAKARTA (JP): The government announced last night that it was shelving seven megaprojects and put another eight under review, for the second time in five months.

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Shuttlers decide to give more to association JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's national shuttlers have agreed to double the amount of money they contribute to the Badminton Association of Indonesia in the wake of the rupiah's collapse."I was really surprised to learn of their decision.

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Cultural shows in the age of televisionBy Devi M. Asmarani JAKARTA (JP): It is not hard to find out what 16-year-old Rio's favorite television shows are."Let's see, there's TV MTV, MTV classic, The X-files, Ricky Lake Show...," he lists, "Oh wait, I also like evening game shows like Famili 100.

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