Navy seeking donations for civic mission in Kalimantan

JAKARTA (JP): The Navy is seeking donations from the public, especially entrepreneurs, to carry out its annual civic mission on five isolated islands in West Kalimantan next month.

"We call on people with money, especially businesspeople, to contribute to the mission as a gesture of solidarity with their poor countrymen on the islands," Navy spokesman Col. Mualimin Santoso said yesterday.

He said that the Navy need Rp 150 million (US$64,000) for the month-long mission, but has only Rp 50 million on hand.

He said the mission will be carried out on the islands of Serutu, Karimata, Maya, Pelapis and Padang Tikar. The exercise is code named Surya Bhaskara Jaya Operation.

The Navy will build public facilities like roads, schools and mosques, as well as launch an information campaign on development and provide medicine.

"We will receive any aid in the form of money, construction materials, drugs, used clothes, electronic goods and books to be donated to the islands' inhabitants who still live under the poverty line," he said.

The Navy has conducted similar missions in underdeveloped areas of other provinces since 1980; all part of its commitment to establish solidarity with the people, Mualimin said. Last year, the mission was carried out in least developed areas of Aceh.

Mualimin said that the five islands off West Kalimantan were chosen after a survey of their social conditions showed they deserved priority.

The islanders are badly in need of public facilities, such as roads, schools, mosques and quays, to support economic development.

"We will bring along a medical team to the islands," he said.

According to the Navy's survey, of the 44,000 people on the islands, about 8,000 suffer from either malaria, anemia, malnutrition, cataracts or skin diseases.

He declined to disclose the number of sailors to be involved in the mission.

Civic missions, which are also carried out by the Army, are aimed at improving the well-being of people in rural areas, and narrow the gap between the rich and the poor in Indonesia.

Army Chief Gen. R. Hartono said on Monday that in some areas, like Irian Jaya, Kalimantan and Maluku, transportation is so limited by geography that it is difficult to get the equipment to where it is needed. (rms)