City Council talks money in Puncak<\/p>\n
Ahmad Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
City councillors and officials start to discuss the 2003 city
\nbudget, which amounts to Rp 11.05 trillion (US$1.23 billion), on
\nTuesday amid public criticism of their poor performance and of
\nthe huge renumeration packages they receive.<\/p>\n
Councillor Ahmad Heryawan of the Justice Party claimed that
\nthe venue for the two-day discussion, which would take place at
\nprivately owned Ciloto Indah Permai Hotel and Resort, had been
\nagreed by a majority of the 85 councillors.<\/p>\n
"We suggested that the discussion take place here, but a
\nmajority wanted it at the Puncak," Heryawan, a member of Council
\nCommission E for social welfare affairs, said.<\/p>\n
According to the Council's schedule, the meeting on the budget
\nshould take place at city-owned Wisma Jaya Raya in the Puncak,
\nBogor.<\/p>\n
But the meeting was moved to the hotel in Ciloto, Cianjur
\nregency as Wisma Jaya Raya had been booked by paramilitary youth
\ngroup Pemuda Panca Marga.<\/p>\n
Councillor Ridlo Kamaludin of the United Development Party
\nrevealed on Monday that the meeting on the budget could not take
\nplace here at City Council premises.<\/p>\n
"It (the hotel costs) has already been paid for," said Ridlo
\nof Council Commission C for financial and budgetary affairs,
\nwithout mentioning the costs of the meeting.<\/p>\n
A source said on Monday that the Council had booked at least
\n100 rooms at the hotel in Ciloto costing Rp 200,000 each per
\nnight for four nights. It was more expensive than the rate at
\nWisma Jaya Raya, which was about Rp 150,000 per night.<\/p>\n
"It's more expensive. At Wisma Jaya Raya, we could obtain a 30
\npercent discount as it's owned by the administration," the source
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The source added that the meeting, including accommodation and
\nfood, could cost Rp 200 million, refuting a report that it would
\ntotal Rp 1.5 billion.<\/p>\n
"However, if the meeting allowance for the councillors is
\nincluded, it would probably reach that amount (Rp 1.5 billion),"
\nthe source said.<\/p>\n
Many observers criticized the councillors for holding the
\nbudget discussion at the Puncak and wasting public money.<\/p>\n
They also considered that the councillors were trying to avoid
\npublic scrutiny by having the meeting there.<\/p>\n
In previous years, although councillors were provided with
\nrooms at Wisma Jaya Raya, most did not stay overnight.<\/p>\n
Food and beverages provided by the hotel were not touched by
\ncouncillors either as they dined at restaurants near the hotel.<\/p>\n
Several businessmen were seen hanging around the hotel, during
\nthe meeting, believed to be trying to lobby councillors and city
\nofficials.<\/p>\n
During the meeting, councillors would also discuss facilities
\nto be received by themselves and city officials, especially the
\ngovernor.<\/p>\n
Observers deplored earlier the allocation of Rp 90 billion, in
\nthe proposed 2003 budget, to the city's 85 councillors, including
\nRp 42 billion for salary and transport allowances and Rp 1
\nbillion for clothing.<\/p>\n
The proposed budget also allocates Rp 9 billion to Governor
\nSutiyoso.<\/p>\n
The allocation of Rp 90 billion to councillors and Rp 9
\nbillion to Sutiyoso was ironic as the budget only allocated Rp 26
\nbillion to poor people in the city, who total 1.2 million people.<\/p>\n
The budget proposal, which was officially submitted by
\nSutiyoso on Jan. 14, is scheduled to be approved by the Council
\nat the end of this month. In past years, the Council has approved
\nthe budget without significant amendment.<\/p>",
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