Saudi to donate US$130m for Aceh

JAKARTA: The government and citizens of Saudi Arabia have pledged US$130 million for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Aceh following the devastating earthquake and tsunami on Dec. 26.

Syeikh Abdulrahman As-Suwailem, who heads the Saudi Arabia Red Crescent, told reporters on Thursday that his government wanted an involvement in building a number of mosques, schools, community health centers, hospitals and orphanages.

Abdulrahman, accompanied by Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Indonesia Abdullah A. Alim, met with Vice President Jusuf Kalla in the latter's office in Jakarta to discuss the $100 million in aid from Saudi Arabian citizens and another $30 million from their government.

In addition to the aid, Abdulrahman said that King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz had assigned a group of envoys to monitor the rehabilitation and reconstruction process in Aceh, so they could determine what further assistance could be provided.

Abdulrahman and his entourage planned to visit Aceh on Friday. -- JP