Habibie backs province's birth

MANADO, North Sulawesi: Former president B.J. Habibie has donated Rp 300 million (about US$38,000) to help people in Tomini Raya, near here, campaign for the formation of a new province there.

Chairman of the national committee for the establishment of the Tomini province Nelson Pomalingo did not say when Habibie handed over the money, but indicated the former president gave it in his capacity as a Gorontalo man.

Habibie was born in Gorontalo, but raised in Pare Pare, South Sulawesi.

The planned province will cover the regencies of Gorontalo, Boalemo and Gorontalo mayoralty. Currently they are part of North Sulawesi province.

"In near future, the House of Representatives' Commission II will visit Gorontalo to check on the feasibility of turning this territory into a new province," Nelson told Antara. (prb)