Lawmakers get Rp 20m for uniforms<\/p>\n
Rusman, Samarinda, East Kalimantan<\/p>\n
The East Kalimantan Provincial legislature has allocated itself
\nthe staggering amount of more than Rp 1 billion (US$105,263) for
\nthe 45 councillors' uniforms this year, according to government
\nstatistics obtained by The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
According to the 2004 provincial budget data, each councillor
\nwas allotted Rp 20 (US$2,105) million each for three sets of
\nofficial uniforms and another Rp 2.5 million each for sport
\nshirts.<\/p>\n
The councillors also received the same amount last year, but
\nit was not clear, however, what the budget was for the years 1999
\nto 2002. The councillors began their five-year term in 1999.<\/p>\n
The amount of money allocated for official uniforms is
\nconsidered extravagant, considering that they normally cost
\nbetween Rp 600,000 to Rp 2 million each. Rp 2 million was the
\nmost expensive, said an employee at a garment company in
\nSamarinda.<\/p>\n
For the uniform allotment, therefore the councillors should
\nhave been only allocated a maximum of Rp 6 million.<\/p>\n
Deputy speaker of East Kalimantan provincial council Kasyful
\nAnwar As'ad confirmed that the allocation was more than Rp 1
\nbillion this year.<\/p>\n
However, he dismissed allegations that the amount was
\nextravagant.<\/p>\n
The councillors were allowed to spend the money needed to buy
\nthe official uniforms with a ceiling price of Rp 20 million, but
\nany leftover balances had to be returned to the state. \"We have
\nset a high ceiling, so that it is not necessary for councillors
\nto ask for more money if the price of shirts skyrockets,\"
\nexplained Kasyful.<\/p>\n
But, a councillor who requested anonymity said that he only
\nreceived Rp 10 million each year in cash.<\/p>\n
\"Actually, I was given an alternative; to be given cash and
\nget the official uniform myself, or let them do it all. I chose
\nthe first, because it gave me the freedom to choose my preferred
\ntailor,\" he said.<\/p>\n
An activist from a group that monitors corruption was
\nskeptical that the councillors would be wiling to return the
\nleftover cash to the state. \"In most cases, the councillors never
\nreturned any money,\" said Achmad Basori, the executive director
\nat Care State Asset, a non-governmental organization (NGO) in
\nEast Kalimantan province.<\/p>\n
The similar extravagant budget for official uniforms can be
\nfound in other provinces nationwide, despite the fact that tens
\nof millions of people still live in poverty. In West Java
\nprovince, for example, the provincial administration has
\nallocated Rp 500 million (US$55,555) for official uniforms for
\nits 100 new members, although the new West Java legislative
\ncouncil has not yet been installed. It will be installed at the
\nend of this year.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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