Water faucets and toilets stolen at Jamboree ground

Water faucets and toilets stolen at Jamboree ground

PURWOKERTO, Central Java (JP): The National Scout Jamboree
2001 here rehearsed on Tuesday despite the theft of some 620
water faucets and dozens of toilets, which had been installed in
the camping area.

Many participants from outside Java, who came to the camping
ground some four days ago, complained to the organizing committee
of the difficulties of brushing teeth and going to the toilet at
the site.

The local state-owned water company, PDAM Banyumas, also
reported the stealing of the spigots, which had caused the loss
of some 604,800 liters of clean water.

The company installed a total of 3,200 faucets in the Jamboree
compound, located at the tourist resort of Baturraden in
Purwokerto.

"I wonder how the taps were stolen. I strongly believe that
the thieves are not participants at the Jamboree," PDAM director
Suwarsono said.

None of the organizing committee members were willing to
comment on the incident. They came down instead to nearby stores
to buy new water spouts.

It was expected that the replacement of the taps would be
completed on Wednesday, right before President Abdurrahman Wahid
declares the event open.

As of Tuesday afternoon, almost 90 percent of the 380 groups,
some 10,300 participants, had arrived. Ten groups from
neighboring countries were also invited to the four-yearly event
but have yet to confirm their participation.

Spokesman for the jamboree organizing committee Didi
Rudwiyanto said the camping ground had been declared a restricted
area, with only those registered allowed entry.

"This restriction is for the sake of security and order," Didi
said.

While President Abdurrahman is slated to open the Rp 15
billion event, Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri plans to
close it on July 14. (45/emf)