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)