Postage increases Last month, when I wanted to send a letter to the United States, I was aghast and perplexed when the post office employee told me that for a letter weighing up to 20 grams and from 21 grams to 50 grams the postage rates are Rp 15,900 and Rp 36,000 respectively.

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Tracing the history of Javanese traditional artBy Tri Budhi Sastrio DENPASAR (JP): Culture derives from the accumulated habits of many lifetimes. Moreover, it is the way people see themselves and organize their lives according to those perceptions.

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The era of awakening for democracy Following is the full text of the state address given by President B.J. Habibie on Aug. 15 before the House of Representatives in Jakarta on the occasion of the 53rd anniversary of Indonesia's Independence Day Aug. 17, 1998.

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No paper In observance of Independence Day tomorrow, which is a national holiday, The Jakarta Post will not appear, and will resume publication on Tuesday.

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Everyday human rights violations under the New OrderBy Mohtar Mas'oed YOGYAKARTA (JP): The following stories were familiar to many of us during the New Order period.Darmin, an orange seller from Nganjuk, always traveled from villages in East Java to Jakarta's markets.

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Freeport workers end strike JAKARTA (JP): After being on strike since Aug. 10 to demand a pay increase and protest alleged discrimination against local staff, PT Freeport Indonesia employees in Irian Jaya agreed on Friday to return to work.

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ABRI hails Habibie's state address JAKARTA (JP): The Armed Forces (ABRI) top brass greeted with grace President B.J. Habibie's assertion yesterday that the military had to undergo reform, calling the stance realistic and future-oriented.Armed Forces Commander Gen.

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Seeking independence in the world of the artsBy Rita A. Widiadana JAKARTA (JP): It's quite unpleasant to plan a night out at a wayang kulit (shadow puppet) show featuring a famous puppeteer, only to hear him trying to blend in messages of the country's achievements.

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Habibie eyes 'a civil society' JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie said yesterday that current reform efforts must be geared toward building a civil society which is just, open and democratic, and one which requires the military to adjust its role accordingly.

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Guess What? Edi Sedyawati Director General of Culture Edi Sedyawati visited a photo exhibit to enjoy the show, but probably had no idea she would be put on the spot.

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RI moving in slow motion toward real independenceBy Rikza Abdullah JAKARTA (JP): Indonesians will express their gratitude to God as they celebrate 53 years of their country's independence tomorrow.

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Legal reform a necessity to forge democratic societyBy T. Mulya Lubis JAKARTA (JP): As Indonesia celebrates the 53rd anniversary of its independence tomorrow, it is timely to reflect upon the nation's achievements over all these years, particularly in the legal sector, an area of great ...

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EchoesBy Bob Griffith "Bondi," Ita said impatiently, "you have been staring at that crocodile plant for an hour. Is that what you are going to do for the day? I need you to move your chair so I can sweep there." Ita prodded: "just scoot over a little.

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Grappling with the power over our consciousness JAKARTA (JP): How far have we achieved independence, in the true sense of the word? This was one question posed to historian Taufik Abdullah:His reply first described the "sense" itself, how the term has been variously used over the years.

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Gibson, Glover still a deadly team in 'Lethal Weapon 4'By Stevie Emilia JAKARTA (JP): Six years ago, most moviegoers probably thought they had seen the last of the Lethal Weapon films after a successful three-movie run over more than half a decade.

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SpotlightPhoto A: BakrielandJP/alxLOSS REPORT: The president director of publicly listed PT Bakrieland Development, Bambang Irawan (left), watches while the company's director, Robert Max Sinaulan (center), and commissioner Hamizar Hamid shake hands after their annual shareholders meeting here at ...

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Badminton meet dates announced JAKARTA (JP): The five-star JVC Asian Badminton Championships will take place in Bangkok from Sept. 1 to Sept. 5 at the Nimibutr Gymnasium National Stadium.

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Guess What? Angela Bassett showed How Stella Got Her Groove Back without showing it all. Playing an unhappy 40-year-old who hooks up with a 20-year-old hunk in a Caribbean paradise, Bassett refused to do any nude scenes in the new movie.

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New paradigm needed to build a civil society Broadly speaking, our economic stabilization and reform program consists of four main points. First, we give a very high priority to the straightening up of our financial institutions.

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House supports thorough investigation into riots JAKARTA (JP): House of Representatives Speaker Harmoko, opening the first of the House's 1998/1999 sitting sessions, supported calls for a thorough investigation into the May riots which left 1,200 people killed, more than 160 women and ...

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The search for national culture 53 years after independenceBy Mochtar Buchori JAKARTA (JP): It was in 1938 that the issue of national culture was discussed for the first time.

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RI to select boxers for Cuban training JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Amateur Boxing Association will send four of 10 boxers currently in training for the 13th Asian Games to Cuba, based on their form in the Pattimura Cup championships in Ambon, Maluku, from Aug. 18 to Aug. 23.

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TV programsTodayTVRI 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 Kami 8:00 Children's Program: Kumbang and Family 8:30 Children's Program: Nuansa Anak 9:30 Creative Program: Widya ...

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Discussion It is a place where we share what we know.We bring together a share.To find a solution for something we don't know.To find a global picture of the big 'know-know'. When it becomes so hot, we need a belief to hold on.But don't hold on to it too tight,I'm afraid it will block your mind.

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1,000 people left homeless after fire JAKARTA (JP): About 1,000 people are now homeless after a huge fire gutted houses in the densely populated residential area in Kartini subdistrict in Sawah Besar, Central Jakarta, yesterday afternoon.

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State firms to lend a hand for Asiad JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of the Empowerment of State Enterprises Tanri Abeng pledged yesterday that state enterprises would provide financial assistance to the National Sports Council to send its squad to the 13th Asian Games in Bangkok in December.

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Indonesia at crossroads after 53 years of independenceBy Mohammad Sadli JAKARTA (JP): As it turns 53, Indonesia finds itself at a crossroads. It is not the first time. Our country went through Constitutional changes in its early years when we had prime ministers rather than strong presidents.

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Hendrawan and Susi make finals JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian men's singles player Hendrawan and women's singles veteran Susi Susanti booked final places yesterday in the US$150,000 Singapore Open badminton tournament.

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