Council supports int'l circuit

SEMARANG (JP): Members of the Central Java provincial council threw their weight behind an idea to construct an international racing circuit some 35 kilometers from the capital.

The idea was proposed by the Central Java Administration and a group of investors with a budget of more than Rp 29 billion (US$ 3.29 million). It's planned to be built on a 50-hectare plot of land in Tlogo village of Tuntang district.

"I support the idea because the investors will provide the funds meanwhile the provincial administration provides the land," chairman of the United Development Party (PPP) faction, Hisyam Ali told The Jakarta Post on Friday.

"The construction, however, must also take into account councillors' aspirations to ensure residents support."

A similar response was voiced by chairman of Commission B on budget affairs, Noer Achmad.

"It's fine as long as the budget comes from the investors so that our own money can be used to eradicate poverty and improve education," he said.

"It's also important to be very careful in acquiring the land because it's such a sensitive issue." (har)