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Obama to send message to RI
US president-elect Barack Obama, who spent a few years of his childhood in Indonesia, will send a special message to Indonesians during his inauguration ceremony on Jan
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US president-elect Barack Obama, who spent a few years of his childhood in Indonesia, will send a special message to Indonesians during his inauguration ceremony on Jan. 20, the committee for his inaugural celebration in Jakarta said Friday.
"We understand that he wants to specifically thank Indonesia for the support and encouragement he received," said Ron Mullers, chairman of the Friends of Obama Inaugural Committee, who is organizing the Obama Jakarta Inaugural Ball.
The US presidential inaugural ball in Jakarta, the first in history, will be held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Kuningan in South Jakarta. Maya Soetoro-Ng, Indonesian half-sister of the incoming US president, has been confirmed to send her greetings from Washington.
"It is going to be a tremendous celebration," Mullers said.US Ambassador Cameron Hume to everyday Indonesians, all are optimistic for a better world because of Obama."
Tickets for the ball are priced between Rp 1 million ($US90) to Rp 2 million.
The first black US president remains popular among Indonesians, although anti-American rallies following the Israeli offensive on Gaza have not entirely stopped in Indonesia.
Erhayati, an employee at the Izzi Pizza restaurant, said the Obama Pizzas they had offered since November were selling like hotcakes.
"Sales are very good," she said.
