Donations go to provinces

JAKARTA (JP): The government is to use Rp 17.66 billion (US$1.6 million) and 250.30 kilogram of gold collected from the public earlier this year to fight poverty in the provinces.

The Ministry of Finance said the cash and proceeds from the sales of the gold would be sent directly to the country's provincial administrations.

The statement said the gold was being kept at Bank Indonesia's offices across the country.

"The government will auction the gold and the proceeds will be used to help the poor meet their daily needs," the statement said.

The government launched a Love the Rupiah campaign early this year by appealing to the public to sell their dollars and to give donations in the form of cash or gold to help reduce the government's budget deficit. (aly)