Sutiyoso opens Jakarta Flona
JAKARTA: Governor Sutiyoso officially opened the 2003 Flona Week on Friday at around 3 p.m. at Lapangan Banteng, Central Jakarta.
The annual event, bearing the theme "Green trees, birds fly free in my city," is being staged jointly with PT Odorma Tiara Handayani. It also commemorates the country's 58th Independence Day.
"The aim of the event is to call on Jakartans to be more aware of the city's environment," said City Parks Agency head Maurits Napitupulu.
The Flona week will be participated in by around 300 farmers, businesspeople, environmental activists and producers of gardening equipment. -- JP
;JP;JUN; ANPAj..r.. Greater-car-accident Car hits HI water fountain JP/8/G-HI
Car drives into HI water fountain
JAKARTA: A Toyota Corona sedan, with a drowsy driver at the wheel, hit the edge of Hotel Indonesia (HI) water fountain on Jl. MH. Thamrin, Central Jakarta, on Friday morning.
The driver, identified as Irawan, suffered minor injuries and managed to get out of the car before being taken to Cipto Mangunkusumo general hospital.
The accident, which occurred at about 2 a.m., caused heavy damage to the front of the vehicle, including its right tire.
Irawan was believed to be speeding from Jl. Jend. Sudirman toward Jl. MH. Thamrin before losing control as he turned left at the HI roundabout and hit it instead.
Several other, similar incidents, also involving drowsy drivers, have occurred here since the HI water fountain was rebuilt last year at a total cost of Rp 14 billion (US$1.6 million).--Antara
;JP;KIKY; ANPAj..r.. Greater-sar-students Rescue team formed to help victims JP/8/SAR
Cigarette giant forms rescue team
JAKARTA: In order to provide support and assistance to victims of natural disasters, publicly listed PT Sampoerna, one of the country's largest cigarette producers, has formed a search and rescue team.
Hadi Fauzan, director of PT Sampoerna, said the team did not intend to take over the national search and rescue team's task.
"If the national team needs us, we'll send our rescue team to help them. But we'll also operate on our own if people need us," said Hadi.
He said that members of the team were university students who were recruited from triathlon competitions held by the company in Malang, East Java, on June 21 and in Bandung, West Java, on June 27.
The company will hold a similar competition in Jakarta on Aug. 10.
"This competition is being held to recruit members for our search and rescue team, and we will also train them. They will be our 'staff-on-call' and will be called out if and when a natural disaster occurs," he said.
The team already has 20 members in Malang and Bandung, 18 life boats, 250 life jackets, three trucks, one helicopter and several ambulances. -- JP
;JP;YAN;ANTARA; ANPAj..r.. Greater-toll-operation Bambu Apus toll gate operated JP/8/GREAT
Bambu Apus toll gate opened
JAKARTA: State-owned toll road operator PT Jasa Marga opened the Bambu Apus toll gate on the Jakarta Outer Ring Road (JORR) on Friday at 3 p.m., following the opening of the Kampung Rambutan 3 toll gate on July 31.
Jasa Marga secretary Hengki Herwanto said that the Rp 40 billion (US$4.65 million) toll gate would serve as the entry from Bambu Apus toward Kampung Rambutan, East Jakarta, and Pondok Pinang, South Jakarta.
"The toll payable will be similar to that at the Pasar Rebo toll gate. For a sedan car, a trip from Bambu Apus to Pondok Pinang will cost Rp 4,500," he said.
Jasa Marga is still continuing with construction of the first phase of JORR to connect Pondok Pinang to Ulujami, South Jakarta, and Ceger to Hankam Raya, East Jakarta.
"We hope the first phase of construction will be completed this year to reduce traffic congestion in the area," Hengki said. -- Antara