President Yudhoyono Sends Two Ministers To Banda Islands

Ambon (Antara Maluku) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has sent Chief Economic Minister Chairul Tanjung and acting Transportation Minister Bambang Susantono to the Banda Islands, Maluku, to deliver government aid to communities there.

"We have been tasked with delivering the aid that President Yudhoyono had promised the people on the Banda Islands during Sail Banda 2010," Chairul Tanjung said during a dinner hosted by Maluku Governor Said Assagaff here on Monday night.

He noted that President Yudhoyono, during a visit to the Banda Islands for Sail Banda in 2010, had promised economic assistance for the people there. He has sent the two ministers to realize the promise.

"President Yudhoyono himself wanted to visit Banda and deliver the aid, but he got very busy and sent us instead to carry out the task on his behalf," Chairul remarked.

The minister added that the government aid was of Rp1.45 billion and meant for renovating several mosques, providing school uniforms to elementary, secondary, and senior high school students, and buying nine traditional boats, a speedboat, and two cars.

"Governor Assagaff and Central Maluku District Head Abua Tuasikal will supervise the aid distribution to ensure they will reach the right beneficiaries," Chairul stated.