Concert to kick off major fund-raising campaign

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Committee for Humanitarian Programs (KKI) is scheduled to launch a major fund-raising campaign, titled We Care Indonesia, in Bogor on Saturday by staging one of the largest ever concerts by local musicians.

Media relations manager of public relations company Ellipse, Rika Mayasari, told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday that the campaign would target raising Rp 100 billion for community development projects to help the nation's needy.

"The concert will be staged in the Bogor Palace's garden and broadcast live on all television stations," Rika said.

President B.J. Habibie, she added, expressed readiness to attend the party, expected to include businesspeople among the 2,000 guests.

The concert will feature about 150 artists and musicians, Ishadi SK, executive producer of the event, said in Bogor on Monday.

Rika explained the fund-raising campaign would be held until Aug. 17. "The closing ceremony will also be marked by the presentation of the same concert."

Other campaign activities include long marches by students of elementary schools and an auction of paintings by noted designers.

Several noted public figures will be the campaign's spokespeople, she said. They include actress Christine Hakim, representing artists, Astra executive Rini M. Suwandi from the business circle and MTV veejay Jamie Aditya for the country's youth.

"We Care Indonesia is all about helping Indonesia's poor," KKI's chairman Chairul Tanjung said during the launching of the campaign on Thursday.

"It is an opportunity for Indonesians to unite together to alleviate the suffering of their own kind. Helping people to help themselves."

Nearly 80 million Indonesians are estimated to be living below the poverty line.

We Care Indonesia campaign will be implemented nationwide and internationally to create awareness of the problem and solicit donations, Rika said.

Funds raised will be used to implement KKI's ongoing humanitarian programs focusing on Java's urban poor, but also reaching other communities in need such as Sambas in West Kalimantan, she said.

KKI was established in August 1998 as a nonprofit, non- governmental and nonpolitical organization by a group of national figures concerned about the emergency situation during the economic crisis.

Its committee council consists of Mar'ie Muhammad as chairman, and members Sujudi, J.E. Habibie, Pratiwi Sudarmono, Rihna Azrul Azwar, Chairul Tanjung, Bambang N. Rachmadi, Hoesein Suropranoto and Bondan Winarno. (24/hhr)