Rp 7 billion for palaces

SURAKARTA, Central Java: A fund of Rp 7 billion (approximately US$2.9 million) has been available for the renovation of Indonesian keraton (palaces) to boost development of tourism here.

"The money has been collected from private businesspeople who really care for the development of culture and tourism in the country," Minister of Tourism, Post and Telecommunications Joop Ave was quoted by Antara as saying here Saturday.

He said Rp 4 billion would be spent on renovation and construction work on the Kasunanan Palace in Surakarta, Rp 1 billion on the Mangkunegaran Palace also in Surakarta, Rp 100 million on the Nusantara keraton festival in Cirebon, Rp 50 million on the palace in Ternate, Maluku, and others. (swe)