Pawnshops to receive donations

JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Finance announced yesterday that state-run pawnshops throughout the country have been appointed official receivers of all public donations to help the government overcome the monetary crisis.

Upon receiving a donation -- gold, cash or other valuables -- Perum Pegadaian Pawn Company must make out a written receipt, of which the original copy must be presented to the donor.

The receipt must include necessary information such as the name of the donor and value of the donation.

"All donations to the state such as gold, cash or foreign currency in essence belongs to the state and thus must be administered and accounted for to the public in a proper manner," the ministry said in a statement.

The chairman of each state-owned pawnshop is required to make a weekly report to the Ministry of Finance on the amount of donations received.

Noted public figures such Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana, President Soeharto's daughter, and a group of ulemas have pioneered a drive to donate gold to help the government overcome the country's dire economic situation. (mds)