Street named for Benyamin

Street named for Benyamin

JAKARTA (JP): The name of the late Betawi (indigenous
Jakartan) artist H. Benyamin Suaeb will be eternalized in a road
name in Jakarta.

Deputy Governor for People's Welfare RS Museno said yesterday
the road is located around Benyamin's old hometown, between Jl.
RE Martadinata road and Jl. Kemayoran Gempol in the Central and
North Jakarta.

Governor Surjadi Soedirdja will dedicate the street name in a
ceremony at the Istiqlal Mosque on Dec. 6 coinciding with the
100th day after artist's death.

Museno said that the late actor, singer and composer Benyamin
was a national asset who deserved to be honored for his efforts
in preserving Indonesian culture, especially Betawi arts.

"Benyamin had done a lot for Betawi culture by making it
popular in the community through the media and shows," Museno
said.

Benyamin's last TV series was the well-known Si Doel Anak
Sekolahan (Si Doel the School Boy).

Benyamin was judged meritorious for promoting Betawi culture
to neighboring countries as Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei.

Talks on Benyamin, and Islamic lectures will also be held to
commemorate his death. Proceedings will kick off at the Taman
Ismail Marzuki art center on Dec. 3. (yns/03)