Govt aids independence pioneers<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The government is hastening to improve the
\nwelfare of hundreds of pioneers of Indonesia's independence
\nmovement, many now in their 80s, by expediting the distribution
\nof Rp 1.5 million (US$638) in house renovation allowance for each
\nof them.<\/p>\n
Hamid Algadri of Perintis Kemerdekaan organization said after
\nmeeting with President Soeharto yesterday that the President has
\ngranted the organization's request that the government speeds up
\nthe distribution of the funds.<\/p>\n
\"The money should promptly be distributed, while they're still
\nalive...most of them are already in their 80s,\" Hamid said.<\/p>\n
Hamid, accompanied by colleagues Mrs. Lasmidjah Hardi, Sarli
\nKusumo Dirdjo and HML. Datuk Penghulu Besar, also said that
\nSoeharto has agreed to speed up the process of conferring
\nSatyalencana Perintis Pergerakan Kemerdekaan medals upon the
\nremaining freedom fighters. The award was given to 102 pioneers
\nof the independence movement last August, with about 300 other
\npioneers still awaiting the honor.<\/p>\n
The government has said that there are 7,888 people who have
\nbeen accorded the status of independence movement pioneers, of
\nwhom 423 are still alive.<\/p>\n
The Satyalencana Perintis Pergerakan Kemerdekaan medal is for
\ncivilians.<\/p>\n
Every month, pioneers receive a government pension of Rp
\n360,000 each, while widows of pioneers receive 60 percent of the
\nsum. (swe)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/govt-aids-independence-pioneers-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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