Sutiyoso launches fund-raising program

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)