Beware of false fund-raisers: Harun Al Rasyid
Beware of false fund-raisers: Harun Al Rasyid
JAKARTA (JP): Chairman of the city's anniversary organizing
committee, Harun Al Rasyid, has warned the public, particularly
company owners, to be wary of people asking for donations.
"As we are celebrating the city's 468th anniversary, many
people are using this opportunity to ask for donations. I warn
Jakartans to be wary of those people. Residents can check with
the city administration if those people claim that they have
secured permits or letters of recommendation from the city
administration," Harun said at City Hall yesterday.
Harun, who is also the city secretary, told reporters that
city administration has decided not to ask for funds from the
public to finance various activities held to celebrate the city's
anniversary on June 22.
He said that the city administration prohibits any activity to
collect fund from Jakartans to finance the anniversary
activities. However, the city appreciates people's participation
in organizing the activities.
"It is true there is a governor instruction to form an
organizing committee in every subdistrict, but it is not
regulating ways to collect funds," he said.
Harun said the city administration considers donations, or
other kinds of activities, as spontaneous gestures shown by
Jakartans as an expression of gratitude and happiness with the
city's rapid development.
"The city administration has never asked Jakartans to donate
money to finance the anniversary," Harun said.
However, he added, the organizing committee called for the
participation of companies in making the event a great success.
"We invite companies to support and sponsor certain
activities," Harun said.
The organizing committee has prepared approximately 1000
activities throughout the city to commemorate the anniversary,
which will be carried out from the subdistrict level.
The activities include social, cultural and economic
activities such as decoration competitions and exhibitions on
development, as well as additional activities such as fire works
at the Monument National (Monas).
Harun said that there are several activities which are
considered key activities, including the Jakarta Festival held
from May 15 to 21, the Jakarta Fair from June 17 to July 15 and
the Jakshop festival, which will be held in July..
Harun also said that the French government would feature fire
works and a laser beam show at Monas on August 19.
"Before the shows, the city administration will hold a dinner
party at Monas at which Jakartans are given a chance to have
dinner at a long table (2 km) set around the monument and eat
food provided by sponsors," he explained.
On August 27, Harun said, there will be a decorative vehicles
parade.
The city administration will also hold the Jakarta Food
Festival from September to October.(yns)