Japan finances voter education

JAKARTA: Japan has provided US$270,889 to four non- governmental organizations (NGOs) to finance voter education ahead of the 2004 elections.

Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia Yutaka Iimura handed over the aid during a ceremony on Wednesday to representatives of Muhammadiyah Youth, Parwi Foundation, the Institute for Economy and Social Research, Education and Information, and the Indonesian Survey Institute.

"The current grant is part of a $23 million grant donated by the Japanese government for Indonesia's elections," Iimura said.

The ceremony was held at the KPU Media Center on Jl. Imam Bonjol and was attended by General Elections Commission (KPU) chairman Nazaruddin Sjamsuddin.

Indonesia will hold a legislative election on April 5, followed by the first round of the presidential election on July 5, with a second round on Sept. 20 if necessary. --JP