Jamsostek to build 4 hospitals
JAKARTA: The state-owned social security company PT Jamsostek will construct four hospitals this year in a bid to improve its services, its commissioner, Sjukur Sarto, said on Sunday.
Sjukur said the hospitals would be built in Bumi Serpong Damai in Tangerang, Cilegon, both in Banten province, Karawang in West Java and in East Jakarta.
He said the project, which was decided in a plenary meeting between boards of directors and commissioners last week, could cost the company Rp 1 trillion (over US$97 million).
Local governments where the hospitals will be constructed have provided the plots, according to Sjukur.
Minister of Manpower and Transmigration Jacob Nuwa Wea had repeatedly asked the company to build a hospital in each of the country's provinces for its clients as part of its social accountability.
"The company must return the money it has raised from participating employees as much as possible, including by constructing hospitals for them," Jacob said.
He suggested that the company cooperate with local governments and the private sector in the project. -- Antara
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Hermawan named Czech consul
SURABAYA: The Czech Republic appointed on Sunday Indonesian economist Hermawan Kertajaya its honorary consul overseeing East Java, Central Java and Yogyakarta.
Apart from installing Hermawan, Czech Deputy Prime Minister for Security and Foreign Affairs Jan Kavan also inaugurated the consulate in the Graha Family Estate housing complex here.
Surabaya Deputy Mayor Bambang DH, media baron Dahlan Iskan and noted pop singer Katon Bagaskara were among attendees at the ceremony, which was also marked with an exhibition of the Czech- made Skoda car.
Antara reported that none of East Java province's officials turned up.
Hermawan said he would help boost economic ties between the Czech Republic and the three provinces.
"East Java, Central Java and Yogyakarta are the second biggest economic centers in Indonesia after Jabotabek," he said, referring to Jakarta and its buffer towns of Bogor, Tangerang and Bekasi.
"We can export agriculture and food products to Prague, now that the Czech Republic will join the European community."
He said the republic produced engines of European quality but at a lower price. -- Antara
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Australia grants family planning aid
MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: Australia's international aid agency, AusAID, has provided the West Nusa Tenggara administration with Rp 300 million worth of electronic equipment to help the province conduct its family planning activities.
The assistance included six laptop computers, six laser compact discs (LSDs) and five cameras, AusAID interim team leader Krishna Hort said here on Friday.
The aid was the first disbursement for a women's health and family welfare project, which Australia has pledged to provide a total of A$10 million (Rp 60 billion).
Hort said the AusAID assistance would go to national family planning coordinating boards at the province and regency levels, including those in Central Lombok, East Lombok, Dompu and Bima regencies.
He expressed hope the assistance would encourage district officials to give health guidance and services to local people. -- Antara