Free acupuntur treatment at temple

SEMARANG: The Chinese-Indonesian community in Semarang, Surakarta and Jakarta, particularly the Confucianists, are to celebrate the Earth Goddess Day here on Wednesday and Thursday next week by organizing free acupuncture treatment and marching throughout parts of the city.

The highlight of the event will take place on Thursday with a procession from the Tay Kak Sie temple to Hoo Hok Bio temple in Chinatown.

The statues of Kiem Sien (Chinese god and goddess) and the Earth Goddess will be shown during the parade.

People may join the procession, which will pass Jl. Gang Warung, Jl. Kranggan, Jl. Plampitan, Jl. Sebandaran I, Jl. Jagalan, Jl .Pringgading, Jl. MT Haryono, Jl. Kapuran, Jl. Gang Besen, Jl. Wot Gandul Timur.

"In China this celebration is held by farmers during the great harvest to express their gratitude to the Goddess," Pek Hong Siong, vice chairman of the organizing committee, said.

Free acupuncture treatment will be offered during the two-day celebration for people suffering from various ailments. It will be held near the Hoo Hok Bio temple on Jl. Gang Cilik. Acupuncturists from Semarang, Yogyakarta and Cirebon (West Java) are expected to join the activities. -- JP

;JP; ANPAc..r.. Sidelines-Malaysia Malaysian foods at Melia Purosani JP/17/food

Malaysian foods at Melia Purosani

YOGYAKARTA: In observance of Malaysia's Independence Day that falls on Aug. 31, Yogyakarta Melia Purosani Hotel on Jl. Suryotomo 31 is offering a range of selected Malaysian dishes for the whole month of September.

The Malaysian Culture and Food Festival was officially launched on Monday evening by head of Yogyakarta Tourism Office Budi Djoko Sulistyo. Also present at the launching ceremony was the director of Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board, Roslan Othman.

In the first week, the hotel is offering both a buffet and an ala carte menu. The buffet costs Rp 98,000 for adults and Rp 49,000 for children, said hotel public relations manager Edna Sosiawanti.

For the rest of the month, she said, both lunch and dinner will be a la carte.

Among the specialties prepared by Chef Abdurrahman Mohd from Penang, Malaysia, are Acar Rampai, Kerabu Soohon, Peasmbur, Tahu Sumbat, and Ayam Berempah soup as appetizers. The selection of hot dishes include Daging Masak Hitam, Kambing Masalla, Ayam Masak Merah, Kobis Goreng Mamak Style, and Nasi Lemak.

"The teh Tarik, the special Malaysian tea, is also provided during the program," Endah said. -- JP