{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1150298,
        "msgid": "councillor-housing-allowances-appaling-1447893297",
        "date": "2005-03-04 00:00:00",
        "title": "'Councillor housing allowances appaling'",
        "author": null,
        "source": "JP",
        "tags": null,
        "topic": null,
        "summary": "'Councillor housing allowances appaling' The Jakarta administration has agreed to give councillors a monthly housing allowance of between Rp 15 million and Rp 20 million. The Jakarta Post asked residents for their opinions on the issue. Heru Christanto, 30, works for a publishing company in West Jakarta. He lives with his family in a rented house in Kelapa Dua, West Jakarta: I think its appalling that such a hefty housing allowance has been approved for the councillors.",
        "content": "<p>'Councillor housing allowances appaling'<\/p>\n<p>The Jakarta administration has agreed to give councillors a<br>\nmonthly housing allowance of between Rp 15 million and Rp 20<br>\nmillion. The Jakarta Post asked residents for their opinions on<br>\nthe issue.<\/p>\n<p>Heru Christanto, 30, works for a publishing company in West<br>\nJakarta. He lives with his family in a rented house in Kelapa<br>\nDua, West Jakarta:<\/p>\n<p>I think its appalling that such a hefty housing allowance has<br>\nbeen approved for the councillors. The policy is simply<br>\ninsensitive to the fact that many Jakarta residents are now<br>\nliving below the poverty line, not to mention the burden they<br>\nhave to shoulder following the fuel price hike.<\/p>\n<p>I think not all of the councillors need the housing allowance,<br>\nparticularly with their high salaries and other facilities they<br>\nenjoy.<\/p>\n<p>With such a huge amount of money, they could rent luxurious<br>\napartments or houses.<\/p>\n<p>The rent for my house is Rp 7.2 million for a year, or only Rp<br>\n600,000 per month.<\/p>\n<p>I don't think they need plush apartments or homes to reflect<br>\ntheir status as the people's representatives. It would be better<br>\nif the money was allocated for the needy.<\/p>\n<p>Oni, 28, owns a Chinese restaurant in Cempaka Putih, Central<br>\nJakarta. He lives with his family in Cempaka Putih housing<br>\ncomplex:<\/p>\n<p>Personally, I have no objection to the policy. But the debate<br>\nover whether the allowance is excessive or not is sure to become<br>\nheated.<\/p>\n<p>I think the administration should establish clear regulations<br>\nso that only those in need are entitled to the allowance.<\/p>\n<p>Otherwise, councillors who have houses can also claim the<br>\nallowance.<\/p>\n<p>In the past, low-cost apartments and houses have been occupied<br>\nby people with good incomes, leaving those in need empty-handed.<\/p>\n<p>--The Jakarta Post<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/councillor-housing-allowances-appaling-1447893297",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}