500-meter TV tower to be built in Kemayoran

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)