Chinese-Indonesians protest

TANGERANG: Around 50 Chinese-Indonesian families from Neglasari district, Tangerang, protested in front of the Tangerang Council building on Tuesday, alleging that local officials from the district had sold about 1,000 square meters of the 7,000-square-meter public cemetery for commercial construction.

"We have buried our ancestors in that cemetery but since the construction began we are not allowed to bury our families on that land," said Cheen Weeh, 48, one of the protesters.

He said that the developer Kwee Sek Kay and Awang told the families that they had been permitted by the subdistrict and the district officials to start building in the area.

Councillor Reandy Kalitaw promised the families that he would review the case.

Neglasari district chief Nafe said that he had received the report on the construction but denied allegations that he had sold public land. -- JP

;JP;MLT; ANPAj..r.. Greater-festival-Cisadane Tangerang to have Cisadane Festival JP/8/GREAT

Tangerang to host Cisadane Festival

TANGERANG: The Tangerang municipal administration will stage its annual Cisadane Festival from Sept. 6 to Sept. 23 in a bid to boost industry and tourism.

Tangerang tourism agency head Iryani Mansyur said on Monday that the festival would feature arts and cultural events, a product fair, entertainment and various competitions.

As with previous years, the festival will be officially opened with dragon boat races on Sept. 6 and Sept. 7 on the Cisadane river.

"The opening will also be marked with Barongsay (Chinese dragon dance), Cokek traditional dance and other arts events," Iryani said. "We hope the annual event will attract people to visit Tangerang."

Iryani said that around 80 percent of the 250 outlets for the product fair had been booked by companies and factories operating in the city. The fair will take place in air-conditioned tents at Ahmad Yani Square.

Visitors will be charged for Rp 3,000 (35.3 U.S. cents) per person. -- JP