Businesses commemorate the big day in their own way

Businesses commemorate the big day in their own way

A festive and colorful atmosphere has descended on most parts
of the country in recent days as many people prepare for the
celebration of the 58th Independence Day.

Patriotic people in both the kampongs and cities decorate
their homes with red and white banners and flags while others
hang colorful light bulbs to commemorate the day.

A series of sporting activities are also held as part of the
celebration that will peak on Independence Day, which falls on
Sunday Aug. 17.

Businesses too have their own way of expressing their
patriotism. Some share with the greater community by sponsoring a
variety of sports competitions while others launch charity
programs or conduct social activities.

Several companies also celebrate the special day with their
employees at their office and hold several games for people in
the surrounding community, such as ball war games played in
water, betel palm tree climbing competitions and five-a-side-
soccer.

DHL, for instance, said that during this Independence Day
celebrations, it would include a series of family days held by
branches for all the employees and their family members, an
employees' sports day and a karaoke competition.

"On the social side, we kicked off a six-month environment
awareness program and also a series of DHL Challenge days in
which DHL employees volunteered a day of their time to take part
in community development program across the country," DHL's
Senior Technical Advisor Alan Cassells said.

Particular companies take advantage of the Independence Day to
strengthen their business presence. PT Coca Cola Indonesia, for
instance, provides free drinks for guests attending the
Independence Day ceremony held at the State Palace.

PT Coca Cola's bottled water division AdeS, in cooperation
with the Indonesian Doctor Association (IDI), is organizing a
training course on health, with lessons focused on how to manage
clean and safe water for consumption.

"Besides, the Independence Day is being celebrated in
residential areas where community agents are located to introduce
our products," said PT Coca Cola's Marketing Communication
Manager Arif Mujahidin.

State-owned international telecommunications company PT
Indosat provides sponsorship for a variety of sports at kampongs
under its 'Red and White' Program. Its IM3 mobile phone operator
will give free cellular cards to the winners as a reward.

The company is also offering a program called Smart Red and
White for customers. Customers who purchase IM3 starter cards
will be entitled to 10,000 free phone credits as a bonus during
the month of August.

Satelindo is currently providing discount rates for its SLI
008 up to 40 percent for customers nationwide. The offer,
effective since July 1, 2003, is valid for communication
throughout the world. "For customers who purchase a starter pack
priced at Rp 50,000, they will be entitled to 25,000 credits with
additional 10,000 credits as a bonus.

Meanwhile, most hotels in Jakarta are taking advantage of the
Independence Day celebrations to conduct gourmet activities as
well as to promote their menu with an Indonesian flavor as more
guests are expected to spend the national holiday having lunch or
dinner at their cafes or restaurants.

Hotel Grand Mahakam, for instance, is launching a seven-day
food promotion program featuring traditional Indonesian food at
Le Gran Cafi restaurant. Themed 'Taste of Indonesia', the program
provides at least 130 kinds of specialties selected from various
Indonesian areas, such as Java, Sumatra, Bali, Nusa Tenggara,
Kalimantan and Sulawesi. The program kicked off on August 16,
2003 and will run through August 22, 2003.

The hotel is also serving specialties using Western styles but
cooked with traditional ingredients. "But during the promotional
period, guests can also find their favorite international
cuisines as we will always be a hotel with an 'international
dining venue'," said Hotel Gran Mahakam's Marketing Communication
Manager Lira Dachlan.

Several hotels have started their Indonesian promotional
programs earlier to celebrate the Independence Day. Shangri-la,
Jakarta commenced its Indonesian Food Festival at its Coffee
Garden on August 11, 2003 and will run through August 17, 2003.
The festival is presenting a tantalizing array of traditional
Indonesian food, selected from 30 provinces. It will be a good
venue for those wishing to experience the multitude of
ingredients, cooking styles and flavors.

Like most companies, many hotels also hold a series of
activities involving their management and their employees. The
big family of Gran Mahakam Hotel will have fun together by having
a picnic together at Ancol Dream Land. The management of Shangri-
la, Jakarta will share joy with their employees through a variety
of fun games.

To the companies and hotels, Independence Day will not only a
time for celebration. So, what does this special day mean to them
and what do they expect from it?

"As we mark this year's Independence Day, we are also
reaffirming DHL's continuing commitment to the development of
Indonesia and especially of our human resources which are vital
for a service-oriented company, such as DHL," said DHL's
Communication & E-commerce Manager Edi Prayitno Hirsam.

The celebration is also a time for contemplation by all
Indonesians as "we continue to tackle the many challenges that
lie ahead. We hope it will mark the beginning of a sustained
period of peace and prosperity for everyone in Indonesia," Edi
said.

Indosat hopes that this Independence Day will be able to
strengthen the unity of the nation. "Indosat sees this year's
Independence Day as good momentum for all of the people to look
inside themselves with respect to the various disasters and
crises, politically, economically and culturally," the company
said.

Hotel Gran Mahakam also shares the same spirit. "We do hope
that this year's Independence Day will mark the beginning of the
revival of the country. Security is expected to be restored so
that the tourism and hotel industry will soon recover," said Lira
Dachlan of Hotel Gran Mahakam.

-- Sudibyo M. Wiradji