At the invitation of the Canberra
Centre, the major shopping complex in Canberra
City, the Ambassador for the Republic of Indonesia,
His Excellency, Mr Imron Cotan, along with the
Acting Chief Minister for the ACT, Mr Ted Quinlan,
launched the Canberra Centre's Tsunami fundraising
day. The Centre made parking for its customers
free in return for customers donating their
parking fees to the Red Cross Tsunami Appeal.
In his speech
the Ambassador thanked the Canberra Centre management
as well as the Red Cross for their initiative
in helping the tsunami victims. He also thanked
the Australian Government and people for being
"so prompt and decisive in their response
by providing immediate relief assistance".
He pointed out that Indonesia was the hardest
hit by the tragedy "with more than 100
thousand people confirmed dead and around a
million left homeless". He told the audience
that the Indonesian Government has a five-year
recovery plan, involving a one-year relief program
and then a four-year period of rebuilding infrastructure,
with billions of dollars needed to carry out
this plan. He urged the support of Australians
over this extended period.
The funds collected
at the Canberra Centre totalled more than $30,000,
most of which will be sent directly to the affected
areas of Indonesia through the Australian Red
Cross.
The Embassy of
the Republic of Indonesia provided two forms
of entertainment. Dancers from Sanggar Isti
Indonesian Dance Studio performed colourful
traditional Indonesian dances, and a band consisting
of mostly Embassy staff impressed the crowds
with its innovative Indonesian music using traditional
and Western instruments.
