Rp 700 million for students

JAKARTA (JP): The European business community here has collected at least Rp 700 million which will be donated to University of Indonesia students who have been financially affected by the economic crisis.

Josef Fuchs, chairman of the organizing committee of the Student Support Festival, said the money was raised since mid September in seven charity events in Jakarta, Yogyakarta and Bali.

"The money will be used to support hundreds of Indonesian students who are in danger of dropping out of university as an effect of the ongoing monetary crisis," Fuchs said in a statement on Wednesday.

He said the Austrian traditional music group Gainzl-Musig and various traditional European foods and drinks were presented at the charity events, which were jointly sponsored by 28 foreign and local companies.

He said the charity event was officially opened by President B.J. Habibie and witnessed by Austrian Ambassador to Indonesia Viktor Segalla on Sept. 19 at the Bandara Sheraton Hotel here.

Fuchs said contributions were still welcome and could be transferred to Bank Bali account 0701022211. (jun)