Hamzah to visit S. Sumatra

PALEMBANG, South Sumatra: Vice President Hamzah Haz, accompanied by three Cabinet ministers hailing from South Sumatra, Hatta Rajasa, Ali Marwan Hanan, and Said Aqil Al Munawar, is scheduled to arrive in Palembang for a one-day official visit on Thursday.

The high-ranking officials are slated to attend a thanksgiving prayer at Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II Grand Mosque held in connection with the selection of Palembang as host for the 16th National Games (PON) in 2004.

The grand mosque is now being renovated.

The VP's entourage will also visit Siti Khadijah Islamic Hospital on Jl. Demang Lebar Daun, Pakjo.

The three ministers are reportedly to visit their respective home villages.

According to Lexy Yoesman, the South Sumatra provincial spokesman, Hamzah and the ministers had confirmed their planned visit.

The visit was previously scheduled for Aug. 22, but the VP had another important commitment on that day.

Separately, Usman Said, the chairman of Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II Grand Mosque Foundation said he hoped that Hamzah visit would help accelerate the ongoing mosque renovation project.

"Hopefully, the official visit will help us collect more funds for the renovation project," Said said, stating that, the foundation had just received Rp 1 billion from Taufik Kiemas, the husband of President Megawati Soekarnoputri.

Taufik visited the mosque last week. (33)