Singaporeans in Indonesia launch education fund for Jakarta students
Singaporeans in Indonesia launch education fund for Jakarta students
By Channel NewsAsia’s Sujadi Siswo | Posted: 03 March 2008 2004 hrs
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Singaporeans in Indonesia launch education fund for Jakarta students
JAKARTA: The Singapore community in Jakarta has launched the Singapore Education Fund to assist schools and needy students in the Indonesian capital.
This is the first permanent programme by the Singapore Association in Indonesia. In the past, it had only extended help during disasters that hit Indonesia.
It is estimated that there are about 5,000 Singaporeans in Jakarta - a relatively small number compared to the other Asian expatriate communities, such as the Koreans who are ten times bigger.
But the Singapore community has been the most visible, especially when their host country needs a helping hand.
Ashok Mirpuri, Singapore’s Ambassador to Indonesia, said: "As a Singaporean, I am proud that the Singapore community in Jakarta has always been active and keen to contribute to Indonesia, not just economically but also socially.
"While we celebrate with Indonesians, we also share their problems. This was evident in February last year when many Singaporeans came forward to contribute to the relief efforts in the wake of the floods that hit Jakarta."
Now Singaporeans in Jakarta want to make a permanent contribution by establishing an education fund for needy children in the greater Jakarta region.
Some US$20,000 has already been raised to kick start the fund that would be used to provide bursaries, school uniforms, minor renovations and equipment for the schools.
Mark Wong, President of the Singapore Association in Indonesia, said: "We’ve worked out an arrangement whereby project sponsors - in other words Singaporeans who see a need - will come to the association with a proposal. And if the idea is approved, then we will develop the project into a viable, sustainable program."
This is the first time, after it was established more than 10 years ago, that the Singapore Association in Indonesia is having a permanent programme in assisting its host country.
The association believes it is timely since ASEAN is now promoting its third pillar - more people-to-people contact in order to bond the citizens of the 10 member states into an ASEAN community. - CNA/vm
