Japan gives Rp 20b in grants

JAKARTA: Japan has earmarked some Rp 20 billion (US$2 million) in education grants for Indonesia for 2002, Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia Yukio Takeuchi said on Tuesday.

"The small grants will be channeled directly to the people and reflect the genuine friendship between Japan and Indonesia," Takeuchi said in Magelang, Central Java on Tuesday.

Ambassador Takeuchi was in Magelang to inaugurate dormitories and classrooms of the Pabelan Islamic boarding school, which the Japanese government helped finance in 2001 with total assistance reaching over Rp 800 million.

Present at the induction ceremony were Education Minister Malik Fadjar, Central Java Governor Mardiyanto and Magelang Regent Hasyim Affandi.

Minister Malik welcomed the announcement, saying the grants were "like a rising sun that gives light to the Indonesian people to build a peaceful nation in the world, especially in developing good relations between Japan and Indonesia."

The Pabelan Islamic boarding school currently accommodates 568 students or santris. -- JP