Alms to bridge poverty gap

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)