Surakarta asks for rebuilding funds

Surakarta asks for rebuilding funds

SURAKARTA, Central Java: The royal family is seeking Rp 4.5 billion (about $2 million) to rebuild part of their palace complex that caught fire 10 years ago.

"We will approach sponsors to raise funds to finance the rehabilitation project," Koesmoertiyah, spokeswoman for the royal family said here yesterday.

The palace caught fire on Jan. 31, 1985, destroying the main building.

Koesmoertiyah, a daughter of Sultan Puku Buwono XII, said the sultanate in cooperation with the public works ministry was re- designing the 1,000-square-meter building.

It will be the second rehabilitation following the first one in 1985 that cost Rp 5 billion, Antara reported. (rms)