Hamzah to visit S. Sumatra

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)