Jakarta needs funds for Games torch relay
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)