Sutiyoso inaugurates Betawi Center

JAKARTA: Governor Sutiyoso inaugurated on Friday the Center for Betawi Art, Culture, Education and Studies at Jakarta State University (UNJ).

The governor, who is also chairman of the center's board of patrons, hoped that the center would help promote appreciation by the local, national and international community of Betawi art and culture.

After the inauguration he donated Rp 150 million for the establishment of a mosque at the campus.

University rector Sutjipto said the center was established because the majority of Betawi people did not pay enough attention to the development and preservation of their culture.

"Also, because UNJ, as the only state university in Jakarta, wants to promote Betawi arts, such as painting, theater, dance and literature to an international level," he said. --JP