Indonesian firm breaks hair-washing record
JAKARTA (JP): A shampoo producer broke a world record for the number of heads washed in a day after its shampooers and stylists washed 4,887 heads on Sunday.
The record was broken at the National Monument (Monas) park in Central Jakarta, a popular site for sports enthusiasts to jog on weekends. The event started from the morning hours and lasted until about 2 p.m.
The organizer, PT Procter and Gamble Indonesia, a manufacturer of consumer goods, reportedly decided to halt the free shampooing event as the number of volunteers wanting their hair washed was increasing.
The company earlier expected to surpass 5,000 heads by 5 p.m.
But the total exceeded Vietnam's record of 4,100, Malaysia's 1,068 and Singapore's 948.
All the heads washed in the event, closely monitored by representatives from the Indonesian Museum of Records (MURI), used Rejoice shampoo, a product from the firm. Some 200 shampooers and 504 stylists took part in the event.
The event raised funds totaling Rp 17.1 million (US$2,060) to be donated in the form of mini libraries and books to four schools for the needy, which are founded and run by twins Sri Rosiati and Sri Irianingsih, the company said.
The amount was based on the number of heads washed at Rp 3,500 per head.
The four Kartini Emergency Schools are located in Bantar Gebang garbage dump in Bekasi; Kali Sunter in North Jakarta; Gedung Panjang and under the Jembatan Tiga flyover in West Jakarta.
The Kartini schools are designed for street children under the tutor of the twins, known by their students as Ibu Kembar (Madame Twins).
They run four other similar schools, namely at Kebayoran Lama in South Jakarta; Senen in Central Jakarta; and in Jatinegara and Pasar Rebo in East Jakarta.
Sunday's event consumed some 60,000 liters of water, the firm said.
The record was approved by MURI manager Paulus Panka.
"It's such a proud moment that we are able to break a world record. It also establishes a new record for Indonesia," he said.
Thousands of spectators and participants were entertained by several bands during the event, such as the Bandung-based Project Pop group. (nvn)