500-meter TV tower to be built in Kemayoran

JAKARTA (JP): The government plans to build a 500-meter television tower in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, in a bid to improve the quality of television broadcasts, Minister of Information Harmoko said here yesterday.

"Extensive research of the technical details for the construction of the 500-meter tower in Kemayoran is now being conducted," Harmoko told reporters after meeting with President Soeharto at Bina Graha presidential office.

"The President has given the go-ahead to build the tower," the minister said.

Underlining the need for the structure, the minister explained that the tower will improve the quality of television broadcasts.

Harmoko also said that Indonesia will host the ASEAN Traditional Media Festival this month, which will coincide with the myriad of activities being held for the golden anniversary of the country's independence.

"The appointment of Indonesia as the venue for the festival was decided by the Committee on Culture and Information of which all member countries are from Asia," Harmoko said.

The festival, which will feature traditional arts and cultural performances from the participating countries, will take place in the ancient sultanate of Surakarta in Central Java between Aug. 8 and 11, the minister said.

Indonesia will have 50 entrants, followed by Thailand with 38, Malaysia and Singapore with 12 delegates each, the Philippines with 11 and Brunei Darusssalam with 10. Vietnam, the newest member of the regional grouping, will send two delegates.

"The President has directed that the traditional performances in the festival should conform to the traditional cultures and customs of the participating countries," Harmoko related.

"The festival should also convey messages that will forge unity in ASEAN," the minister quoted Soeharto as telling him.

Harmoko said he also reported to Soeharto on a planned Boy Scout jamboree for members of the Ministry of Information. The gathering is scheduled to take place in South Sumatra between Aug. 27 and 31.

"I also reported to him on the preparations being made by the Ministry of Information to help make the 1995/96 ABRI Masuk Desa (Armed Forces Civic Mission) program a success," the minister said.

He stressed the need for the government, through the Armed Forces, to continue the program to forge cooperation and understanding between the military and the people, especially in rural areas.

"Such activities will also bode well for instilling a high sense of awareness among the villagers of the urgent need to preserve the environment and to keep order and security in their villages," Harmoko stated. (bas)