Banten show must go on

SERANG, West Java: The 1994 Banten Festival will proceed as scheduled today despite the debt problems of the organizers.

The organizers have only raised Rp 212 million (US$98,000) of the Rp 1.5 billion needed to stage the event.

The show, to be launched by Coordinating Minister of Political Affairs and Security Soesilo Soedarman, will present the art and culture of the Banten tribe.

The organizers have so far secured funds from the West Java provincial government and several regencies, while PT Arjuna, the main sponsor, has "failed to reach its target", Antara reported.

Aside from financial problems, the official also blamed the "busy government officials" on the committee for causing the utter managerial chaos that threatens to derail the gala event. (pwn)