Fewer foreign artists perform here

JAKARTA (JP): The number of foreign performing artists in the city has decreased due to current political tension, Aminullah, an executive of the City Political and Social Affairs office said.

"Probably the foreign artists are afraid that the current political tension would result in riots," Aminullah told reporters at City Hall.

But he said there were fewer foreign artists here because local companies could not afford them due to the high dollar rate against the rupiah.

He said there were 100 foreign artists who conducted live performances in the city in May, while in June, the number decreased to 67.

"We have no complete data for this month, but we believe there would be fewer artists here due to the upcoming special session of the People's Consultative Assembly," Aminullah said.

He said 18 local companies were registered with his office that brought in the artists, mostly from China.

Sixty artists who came here last month were from China, while the remaining seven artists came from the Philippines, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong and United States, he said.

Aminullah said the number of local artists who were sent abroad, especially to Japan, increased from 113 people in May to 147 people in June. They were sent by 22 companies.

A source said the so-called artists, mostly women, worked at Japanese bars and karaoke singing halls. (jun)