Aceh people donate gold again

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)