Legislator rejects funds<\/p>\n
MANADO, North Sulawesi: Ang Marentek, a member of the
\nprovincial legislative council, turned down a Rp 40 million
\ntransportation reimbursement check from the provincial government
\nand returned it through to the legislative council.<\/p>\n
Marentek handed over the bank note on his rejection of the
\nmoney during a hearing between the legislative council and
\nGovernor A.J. Sondakh here on Wednesday. The remaining 44
\nlegislators also received similar reimbursements appropriated
\nfrom the provincial budget to finance their transportation
\nthroughout the province and the nation.<\/p>\n
\"I appeal to the legislative council chairman to read the bank
\nnote to let other councillors and local officials know about my
\nrejection of the fund,\" he said in the hearing.<\/p>\n
The provincial government has allocated Rp 5.6 billion for the
\nprovincial legislative council to help councillors carry out
\ntheir political activities during the 2001 fiscal year.<\/p>\n
After the hearing, Marentek said he rejected the reimbursement
\nbecause councillors were not deserving of it, and a majority of
\nlocal people were still living poor conditions.<\/p>\n
Denny Wowoliling, chairman of the organization, Parliament
\nWatch, appreciated Marentek's action, saying the legislator who
\nis widely known for his outspokenness rejected the money because
\nit was against his own conscience.<\/p>\n
\"Other councillors should follow suit to show their empathy to
\na majority of local poor people who have been affected the most
\nby the prolonged economic crisis,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Marentek of the Golkar Party quit the legislative body in 1994
\nafter he opposed the operational methods of gold mining company
\nPT Newmont Minahasa Raya that he claims has destroyed the
\nenvironment.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/legislator-rejects-funds-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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