Various events set for city birthday

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)