Keep celebration in proper spirit: Emil

Keep celebration in proper spirit: Emil

JAKARTA (JP): Any activities to greet the coming golden
anniversary of Indonesia's independence should not rely too much
on donation from wealthy businessmen, Emil Salim says.

The executive chairman of the National Committee for
Indonesia's 50th anniversary said yesterday that any programs
should be organized in the spirit of independence only.

"Don't beg for business conglomerates to help, especially
since their assistance might turn out to curtail creativity," he
said.

Emil spoke during a press conference break on the "Horas
Indonesia 50 tahun" festival at the Le Meridian Hotel. The
festival, organized by the Batak sub-ethnic groups living in
greater Jakarta, is slated for July 28 to 30 at the Jakarta
Convention Center.

Emil reiterated that the committee has never and will not give
its permission to any group to collect funds for the celebration
on its behalf.

Many people have reportedly collected funds from the public
using the committee's name to finance various independence
festivals.

"Fund collecting by sub-committees is allowed only as far as
it doesn't involve any coercion," he said.

Emil said no sanctions will be imposed on anyone unwilling to
take part in the celebration.

"Today, for example, people adorn their houses with ornamental
lamps. This is good. But nobody will be punished just because
they don't install the ornamental lamps," he said.

Emil also said the committee and the government have yet to
decide whether to declare August 18, which falls on Friday, a
public holiday. One of the reasons for doing so is to allow
Jakartans to rest after their exhausting and exhilarating August
17 celebration. (jsk)