Javanese opera faces extinction

SEMARANG: President Soeharto called on the mayor yesterday to save a traditional Javanese opera group, Ngesti Pandowo, which is severely threatened by modern entertainment.

"The president considers the group a national cultural asset," said Purnomo, former chief of the presidential household management, who carried the president's message to Semarang Mayor Soetrisno Soeharto.

On receiving the message, Soetrisno said his administration has donated Rp 500,000 to preserve the group and promised he would donate more.

He said the donations would be allocated to construct a new theater and to improve the entertainers' welfare.

"We won't let this group die, that's for sure. And I will call on all parties, including businessmen, to be involved in revitalizing it." he added. (har/08)