Cash crunch cuts into MPR perks JAKARTA (JP): Billions of rupiah are being shelled out for the Special Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), even as Jakartans struggle to cope with the economic crisis and steel themselves for possible unrest.

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MPR special session will dig into meaty issuesBy Ridwan Max Sidjabat JAKARTA (JP): Clean government. The presence of Armed Forces representatives at legislative bodies. Limitation to presidential terms.

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Taufik shines as teammates flop JAKARTA (JP): Taufik Halay won his final game to become the only Indonesian player to enter the top 10 at the World Age Group Chess Championships in Oropesa Del Mar, Spain on Friday.

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Dusk at the BeachBy Teguh Winarsho AS My beautiful girl and I enjoyed a sunset at the beach. The sky on the horizon was tinged flame-red. Seagulls were flying about. A pair of doves were amorously flirting. The wind was lazily blowing, like a windmill slowly going round in my lungs.

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Hope sails on Your face is the prelude to a world of love and hopeI am drowning in a sea of ecstasyI dance until my dream becomes a realityAnd find what I have been searching forA hope that dangles in your right hand At this time of uncertainty and disorderYour words elude all my doubts about ...

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Noegroho prepares for long haulBy Edith Hartanto JAKARTA (JP): As security is stepped up for the People's Consultative Assembly's Special Session which begins Tuesday, there is already controversy over whether preparations have gone too far.

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Work is thin on the ground for local modelsBy Agni Amorita JAKARTA (JP): Three years ago, 15-year-old Tracy Trinita won the first Elite Model Indonesia Contest. She was sent to Seoul to take part in a World Elite Model contest run by the international modeling agency.

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Peter Weir's 'The Truman Show': How is it going to end?By Rayya Makarim JAKARTA (JP): After a five-year hiatus, Peter Weir (The Year of Living Dangerously, Dead Poet's Society, Witness, Green Card) is back with his latest masterpiece.

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Retired models find jobs to fall back on JAKARTA (JP): Fashion models do not shine forever.Top model Cindy Crawford, 32, for example, had to return from Paris to the U.S. and become a film actress, playing opposite Billy Baldwin in Fair Game.

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Rescue English Gwynne Dyer once wrote that "APEC" stood for "American Plan for European Collapse." Sadly, he has been proved wrong with the imminent arrival of Euro, effective Jan. 1, 1999.However, a frightening possibility looms large on the horizon now.

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Dewi, Marwah and Miriam on MPR Special Session JAKARTA (JP): Presidential spokeswoman Dewi Fortuna Anwar, Golkar legislator Marwah Daud Ibrahim and political professor Miriam Budiardjo may have different views about what justifies the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Special Session.

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Tension clouds MPR session JAKARTA (JP): One Jakarta resident said she has warned most of her relatives here to stay at home throughout the Special Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) from Nov. 10 through Nov. 13 because she is afraid of unrest.

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Guess What? Foes and fairweather friends alike have sharpened their claws and ripped into Soeharto since his unceremonious fall from power.But if discretion really is the better part of valor, then Soeharto's longtime translator Widodo Sutyo might be considered an honorable figure by some.

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Habibie saddened by violence JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie expressed his sadness on Saturday over the recent outburst of violence in several regions of the country, including Banyuwangi in East Java which has borne witness to more than 100 killings recently.

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Do MPR members really represent the people? JAKARTA (JP): Despite the presence of many new faces, the big question mark looming large over the Special Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) is whether it will really voice the people's aspirations.

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Experience with theft and 'bureaucrazy' JAKARTA (JP): Sometimes it is true what you read in the newspapers. Like for instance those recent warnings about petty theft being on the increase.

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Swirling watercolors 'To Indonesia With Love' JAKARTA (JP): Artistic illustration has been predominantly in watercolors in both Eastern and Western countries for years but in Indonesia appreciation of the medium is still crawling along at a snail's pace among both artists and art lovers.

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TV todayTVRI 6:00 a.m. News: Sari Berita Sepekan 6:30 Morning Focus 6:45 Healthy and Fresh 7:00 Religious Teachings: Hikmah Pagi 7:30 Children's Program: Arena 123 8:00 Children's Program: Kumbang and Family 8:30 Children's Program: Nuansa Anak 9:00 Music 9:30 Creative Program: ...

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Rectors back students' push for reform BANDUNG (JP): State and private university rectors, declaring their allegiance would always remain with their students, gave their stamp of approval on Saturday to student activists' crusade for reform.

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Ancient 'reog' dance retains popularity in E. JavaBy Text and photos by Widyarto SURABAYA (JP): A reog mask dance is not only an art performance but also a historical legacy now taking on a strong role in nurturing the religiosity and sociopolitical awareness of the Javanese communities.

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