Budget to be cut, council to react<\/p>\n
Ahmad Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
City councillors are likely to object to a proposed slash in
\nfunds allocated to them in the 2003 city draft budget, after the
\nadministration announced on Thursday that it would cut the funds
\nallocated to them in the budget.<\/p>\n
Governor Sutiyoso said the administration would cut the
\nallocation of Rp 91.6 billion (US$10 million) for the city's 85
\ncouncillors in the draft budget.<\/p>\n
\"We should dare to say that (cut the allocation). The
\ncouncillors should have a conscience,\" Sutiyoso told reporters
\nafter inspecting a budget meeting at City Hall.<\/p>\n
Due to public criticism, the governor said he would also agree
\nto a reduction in the allocation of Rp 9 billion for him even
\nthough the allocation had been arranged according to regulations.<\/p>\n
\"I have suggested that my subordinates cut some of the
\nallowances, such as for clothing and morning coffee, even though
\nmy subordinates say it is my right as a governor according to
\nregulations,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, City Secretary Ritola Tasmaya said allocations of
\nlesser importance were likely to be reduced.<\/p>\n
\"The amount for several items in the allocation of Rp 91.6
\nbillion will be reduced, but I cannot mention the amount,\" Ritola
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Some Rp 42 billion of the Rp 91.6 billion draft budget is
\nallocated in the draft budget for the councillors' basic salaries
\nand transportation, Rp 1 billion for clothing, Rp 14 billion for
\nwelfare and the balance for other allowances. If approved, every
\ncouncillor would be entitled a monthly income of Rp 90 million.<\/p>\n
The 2003 draft budget also proposes Rp 9 billion for Sutiyoso,
\nincluding Rp 3 billion for the governor's social and
\nadministrative activities, a Rp 100 million health allowance, Rp
\n90 million for morning coffee and Rp 65 million for clothing.<\/p>\n
Separately, councillor Syamsidar Siregar of the National
\nMandate Party claimed that she did not object to the
\nadministration's plan to cut the allocation of Rp 91.6 billion
\nfor councillors.<\/p>\n
\"In that case, we will cut allocation of funds for unclear
\nprojects that are prone to corruption,\" Syamsidar, who is a
\nmember of the council's Commission E for social welfare affairs,
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
She asked the public not to question the allocation for
\ncouncillors since it was small compared to the total budget of Rp
\n11.05 trillion.<\/p>\n
Anna Rudhiantina of Commission C for financial and budgetary
\naffairs said on Wednesday that budget allocations were the
\nprerogative of the council according to Law 22\/1999 on regional
\nautonomy.<\/p>\n
Anna, who is a Golkar councillor, claimed that government
\nregulation No. 110\/2000, which puts a cap on councillors'
\nsalaries, had been repealed as it was unlawful.<\/p>\n
Activist Azas Tigor Nainggolan said that the absence of a
\nclear regulation enabled councillors and city officials to
\ncapitalize on the budget.<\/p>\n
\"They can make deals that favor both councillors and city
\nadministration officials. They do not think about the people,\"
\nTigor, chairman of the Jakarta Residents Forum, said.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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