Sutiyoso launches fund-raising program

JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso announced on Tuesday that several businessmen and city officials had expressed their readiness to use the interest paid on the deposit of Rp 300 million (US$28,571), to help poor people severely affected by the monetary crisis.

Speaking in a ceremony for the handover of 10 tons of rice to the poor, he said the money would be deposited in a bank to be decided on later.

The money deposited would belong to the businessmen and the officials, he said, adding that funds given to the needy would come from the bank interest.

Sutiyoso said that out of the Rp 300 million commitment, Rp 200 million would be lent by businessmen grouped in the Jakarta chapter of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), and the other Rp 100 million by the city officials.

The city officials, making the commitment to lend their money, included the governor himself, deputy governors, mayors and the head of the city offices. (ivy)