The rich break Rp 3b vow

The rich break Rp 3b vow

JAKARTA (JP): Wealthy businessmen, who pledged late last year to contribute about Rp 3 billion (US$1.36 million) to finance slum improvement projects in conjunction with the commemoration of Solidarity Day have not yet honored their commitments.

Ign. Setyoko, executive chairman of the 1994 National Solidarity Day Committee, told reporters over the weekend that businessmen who were reminded of their pledge simply answered that they were unable to honor their promises for various reasons.

"The businessmen said they face financial difficulties because there have been many parties asking for large amounts of money to finance the 50th Independence Day celebrations," Setyoko told Antara news agency.

In a meeting held last December Sudwikatmono, a prominent businessman who was the treasurer of the committee, had promised to collect about Rp 3 billion from 20 tycoons to finance various slum improvement projects in Jakarta.

Setyoko, who is also the director general of social welfare development of the Ministry of Social Affairs, said due to the unavailability of money most projects cannot be carried out as planned.

Meanwhile, Minister of Social Services Inten Soeweno, who was asked to comment on the issue, urged the 20 businessmen to honor their promises because their donations are badly needed to help the poor.

Several representatives of social organizations which are assigned to implement the program said due to the absence of funds the slum improvement project in Jakarta cannot be done this year.

The program includes the construction of pavements in slum areas, establishment of water ditches and building sanitary facilities, such as collective bathrooms and public lavatories.

The program was planned for areas in the city's five mayoralties. In Central Jakarta alone there are areas in eight subdistricts where facilities were to be built: Cikini, Paseban, Tanah Tinggi, Kampung Bali, Kebon Kacang, Cempaka Baru, Kartini and Cempaka Putih Baru.

Antara data show that fund collection in connection with the commemoration of the Solidarity Day in 1993 reached about Rp 13.5 billion.

The collection, which was held between Dec. 1993 and March 1994, was coordinated by Muhammad (Bob) Hasan, one of the most wealthiest businessmen in the country.

The funds were used to implement the Ciliwung river normalization along 800 meters and to build low-cost apartments in Bidaracina, East Jakarta. (yns)