Aceh people donate gold again

JAKARTA (JP): The people of Aceh province once again displayed their high sense of altruism yesterday when they donated 60 kilograms of gold and 1,900 items of jewelry to the nation.

The donation was presented by Aceh Governor Syamsuddin Machmud on behalf of the province's population to the head of the presidential household, M. Basyuni, representing President Soeharto.

Machmud said the donations were gathered after he had consulted with local religious and community leaders who were all concerned about the economic crisis.

The jewelry included an assortment of rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets and even a traditional rencong dagger.

Speaking at Merdeka Palace yesterday, Basyuni said Soeharto would have liked to have received them personally, but had prior engagements.

At the time Soeharto was at his private residence on Jl. Cendana, Central Jakarta, meeting with Vice President B.J. Habibie. (prb)