Amien Rais to release music album
People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Amien Rais is, it has turned out, more than a political celebrity. At the end of June, he will release his first music album.
The album will feature 10 campursari (blend of dangdut and Javanese traditional genres) songs he sings with his wife Kusnasriyati Sri Rahayu.
The album will be released in conjunction with his National Mandate Party (PAN) national meeting in Jakarta.
Amien said the album would not be available at stores but be distributed as a limited edition for PAN functionaries and members.
"What I aim to do is to promote national culture starting at the party level. In the future we want to promote other arts, such as ketoprak (Javanese traditional opera) and wayang (shadow puppetry)," he told The Jakarta Post at his residence in Yogyakarta.
The album was made at the request of party members impressed by his and his wife's singing talent.
The recording was done at his residence. He will be the second public figure after Gen. (ret.) Wiranto, a former military commander, to have released a music album. --Ahmad Solikhan
;AP; ANPAc..r.. GuessWhat-Jagger-knighthood Mick Jagger to get knighthood JP/20/GUESS
Mick Jagger to get knighthood
LONDON Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger is to be knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his service to music, newspapers reported on Sunday.
The aging rock star will receive the title Sir Mick in the queen's birthday honors next weekend, The Sunday Times said.
The Independent on Sunday said Jagger, who once outraged the British establishment with his hedonistic lifestyle, had been nominated by Prime Minister Tony Blair, who is a fan of the band.
Blair's Downing Street office and Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the reports on Sunday.
Jagger would be the latest in a line of pop stars to receive the royal honor. Sir Elton John was knighted in 1997, and Sir Paul McCartney was knighted in 1996 for his contribution to British music and society, including the charitable and educational causes he supports. --AP