House forms 20-strong team to supervise donations<\/p>\n
Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The House of Representatives leaders decided on Tuesday to form a
\nteam of 20 legislators with the task of supervising the
\ndistribution of humanitarian aid to tsunami-hit areas in Aceh and
\nNorth Sumatra in order to help prevent misuse of funds.<\/p>\n
House leaders also suggested that the President assign the
\nMinistry of Finance to be the sole institution channeling
\ndonations contributed from foreign countries.<\/p>\n
\"The team is designed to prevent misuse of donations. We hope
\nthe public will report any indications of irregularities,\" deputy
\nHouse speaker Muhaimin Iskandar told the press after a closed-
\ndoor meeting.<\/p>\n
Although he had not received any reports of irregularities,
\nMuhaimin acknowledged that the move was taken to anticipate
\npossible abuses.<\/p>\n
The team would also supervise the use of state budget funds
\nfor related humanitarian relief work.<\/p>\n
Concerns over possible abuses have also been raised by
\nPeople's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Hidayat Nur Wahid,
\nwho urged that all donations for Aceh and North Sumatra be
\nhandled by one institution in a transparent and accountable way.<\/p>\n
Several countries have pledged funds totaling hundreds of
\nmillions of dollars, as well as relief supplies and medical teams
\nto help survivors in northern Sumatra.<\/p>\n
Quakes and tidal waves hit large areas of northern Sumatra on
\nDec. 26, killing more than 90,000 people.<\/p>\n
Japan is the largest donor, offering US$500 million to be
\ndistributed amongst all the tsunami-affected countries, followed
\nby the United States with US$350 million.<\/p>\n
Muhaimin, who is assigned to chair the supervisory team,
\ncalled on the public to inform legislators if they come across
\nindications of misuse of funds.<\/p>\n
He gave an assurance that the House would protect people who
\nreported misuse. All reports from the public would be taken as
\ninput for legislators so that they could trace the manipulation.<\/p>\n
According to Muhaimin, the team would start work after the
\nopening of the next sitting session on Jan. 10.<\/p>\n
The public can send information via SMS to 0813 1927 6969. An
\ne-mail address for sending reports will be announced later.<\/p>\n
Legislators are also prepared to meet directly with members of
\nthe public, he said.<\/p>\n
Members of the supervisory team will be taken from all 10
\ncommissions, with each commission contributing two members.<\/p>\n
Muhaimin added that House leaders would also hold a
\nconsultative meeting with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to
\ndiscuss relief efforts in Aceh and North Sumatra sometime after
\nJan. 10.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/house-forms-20-strong-team-to-supervise-donations-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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