Statue of Christ almost completed

DILI, East Timor: State-owned company PT Waskita Karya donated Rp 100,000 million (US$43,000) yesterday to the construction of a statue of Jesus Christ.

Chief of PT Waskita Karya, a business wing of the Ministry of Public Works, Endar Triyono, symbolically transferred the money to deputy governor J. Haribowo in a ceremony.

"It will take a lot more funds to build the statute. We hope more companies will follow suit," said Haribowo according to the Antara news agency.

Project manager Edencio Soares said it needs about Rp 6 billion to complete the statue in Fatucama hill above a white sandy beach near here.

The project began last year and is expected to be completed by the end of next month. (pan)