'Abang-None' reaches finals

JAKARTA: The annual 'Abang and None' pageant, which is held to pick a pair of the city's "cultural and tourism ambassadors", will reach its final stage on July 18 at the Jakarta Convention Center.

Tourism agency head Aurora Tambunan said that the organizer had recruited judges for the final, including elected member of the Regional Representatives Council (DPD) Biem Triani Benyamin, who is Betawi (native Jakartan).

"For the first time we have also recruited a foreigner, John Jascula, chairman of the Jakarta International Hotels Association and manager of JW Marriott Hotel, as a judge," she was quoted as saying by the city administration's official news portal beritajakarta.com on Friday.

The team of judges will be led by Margani Mustar, head of the city's middle and higher education agency, also Betawi.

The eighteen pairs of young Jakartans who have reached the final are from Jakarta's five municipalities and the Thousand Islands regency. -- JP