Various events set for city birthday

JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso said on Friday Jakarta's 474th anniversary celebration should boost tourism in the capital.

Sutiyoso said he had suggested to Deputy Governor for Government Affairs Abdul Kahfi, who chairs the event's organizing committee, to prepare various events in conjunction with the city's anniversary, which falls on June 22.

"This year's celebration should have something different from last year's. It should not be monotonous," he said after Friday prayers at the City Hall.

He said the organizing celebration should be aimed at entertaining all residents, who he said have suffered during the wave of demonstrations in the capital over the past weeks.

When asked about the budget, Sutiyoso said he would ask the private sector to contribute to the funding. He said the budget was being calculated.

Last year's celebration was marked with a delman (horse-drawn carriage) parade. Many artists participated in the festival.

Apart from the arts, an international basketball tournament pitting Jakarta and its sister cities across the world will add life to the anniversary celebration, Sutiyoso said.

Teams from Tokyo, Seoul, and Beijing are expected to take part in the tournament.

Sutiyoso chairs the Indonesian Basketball Association (Perbasi). (04)