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)