Alms to bridge poverty gap

JAMBI: Civil servants in the province of Jambi have set aside a part of their salaries for charity for some months now, Vice Governor H. Musa said yesterday.

Each month, the governor's office collects Rp 1.5 million in alms from the employees, Antara reported.

"It is voluntary," Musa said in a ceremony observing National Solidarity Day and National Women's Day. "It is based on their will and ability."

The governor's office did not set the amount but urged civil servants to give alms to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor.

President Soeharto, chairman of the Yayasan Amal Bhakti Muslim Pancasila, had earlier called on workers in the private sector to provide alms for social welfare activities through the foundation. (sim)