Jakarta needs funds for Games torch relay

JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta's administration will have to work hard to raise funds for the 19th SEA Games torch relay in the capital as it has only a Rp 150 million (US$57,252) budget for the ceremony.

The Organizing Committee's municipal deputy secretary, Mawardi, said at City Hall yesterday that the organizers had promised to add Rp 25 million but this was still not enough.

"We have to erect 10 stages, representing each SEA Games participating country, along Jl. HR Rasuna Said. If each stage costs Rp 15 million, we have nothing left for security, ceremonies and other needs," he said.

Mawardi said the organizers rejected a suggestion to cooperate with participating countries' embassies to set up the stages because "it would embarrass us".

Each of the four provinces through which the torch will be carried, Central Java, East Java, Yogyakarta and Jakarta will get Rp 25 million from the organizers.

The torch will arrive at Pasar Jumat, Ciputat, on Oct. 10 and the Bogor regent will hand it over to the South Jakarta Mayor at 10.00 a.m.

"We'll decide between the Police College and the State Institute of Islamic Studies as the venue at the next meeting," he said.

The torch will be paraded along Jl. Fatmawati, Jl. Wijaya, Jl. Kapten Tendean, Jl. HR Rasuna Said, Jl. HOS Cokroaminoto, Jl. Sam Ratulangi, Jl. Menteng Raya and then to City Hall.

About 150 meters before City Hall, representatives of each country's embassy and public figures, including ministers, will carry the torch.

The torch will be lit with a huge magnifying glass on Sept. 26 at 10.00 a.m. at the ancient Buddhist Borobudur temple, about 40 kilometers northwest of Yogyakarta.

It will be taken on Sept. 27 at about 8.00 p.m. on a march through Yogyakarta, Central Java, East Java, West Java and Jakarta.

On Oct. 11, the torch will be carried from the City Hall, through Jl. MH. Thamrin, Jl. Jend. Sudirman and to Senayan Main Stadium.

Mawardi said the torch was expected to arrive at the stadium before 4.00 p.m., when President Soeharto was to officially open the biennial event which will end Oct. 19. (yan)