City couple to be elected Saturday<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Thirty young men and women will find out on
\nSaturday night whether they will win the coveted title of Abang
\ndan None Jakarta (Mr. and Miss Jakarta) which might lead them to
\nthe road of fame, at least in the capital.<\/p>\n
The head of the Jakarta Tourism Office, Parlindungan
\nHutabarat, said the event, a tradition here since 1971 will be
\nbroadcasted live and will hopefully \"cool the tense situation in
\nthe capital (during the Annual Session of the People's
\nConsultative Assembly) and increase community appreciation in the
\ncity.\"<\/p>\n
The grand final at the Jakarta Convention Center in Central
\nJakarta will feature traditional dancing and other entertainment.<\/p>\n
Fifteen couples have been selected from 729 contestants from
\nacross the city. Their intelligence and personality were
\nmonitored from July 30 to Aug. 5.<\/p>\n
Arief Rachman, an educator and a jury member in charge of the
\nreligious and character aspect of selection, said contestants
\nwere screened through discussions, individual presentation, and
\nalso knowledge of native Jakartans' (Betawi) attire and customs.<\/p>\n
He said the criteria for selecting finalists also included
\nknowledge of city tourism, communication ability, foreign
\nlanguage competence and characteristics compatible with their
\nresponsibilities should they win.<\/p>\n
The Abang dan None contest is usually held in conjunction with
\nthe celebration of Jakarta's anniversary, which falls on June 22,
\nand the country's Independence Day on Aug. 17.<\/p>\n
The contest began in 1968 when then governor Ali Sadikin
\ndecided that he needed a \"None\" to help him in protocol tasks,
\nsuch as greeting city visitors. In 1971, the city administration
\ndecided to find her a male partner.<\/p>\n
Prizes usually include tickets to go abroad, cash and prizes
\nfrom sponsors. (07)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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