Aid for poor Yogyakartans

Aid for poor Yogyakartans

JAKARTA: A foundation patronized by President Soeharto has
assisted in the upgrade of floors in 3,000 houses in southern
Yogyakarta.

The Gerakan Bhakti Yogya foundation's chairman, Kardono, said
that the plan's aim is to improve cleanliness among low income
recipients.

Kardono, former President Soeharto's secretary for military
affairs, declined to mention the value of the assistance. He said
the aid was given to villagers in the Gunungkidul, Sleman and
Kulonprogo regencies.

"It is expected that the recipients' houses will be more
hygienic," added Syaukat Banjaransari, one of the foundation's
executives.

"Under the program, the people will be required to make
stables for their cows so that the animals and their owners will
no longer live under the same roof," he said.

The foundation also promised to provide Rp 800 million
(US$357,000) to build clean water facilities in barren
Gunungkidul. (pan)