MPR's Annual Session to cost Rp 25.7 billion<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The coming 10-day Annual Session of the People's
\nConsultative Assembly (MPR) is expected to cost the state Rp 25.7
\nbillion (US$2.8 million).<\/p>\n
More than half of the funds will be used for hotel
\naccommodation for the 700 members of the Assembly.<\/p>\n
The Assembly's Secretary General Umar Basalim admitted that
\nall 700 legislators would be provided with their own hotel rooms
\nalthough most of them already live in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
\"It will guarantee that the legislators come on time to the
\nmeetings in the session without any disturbances, such as if
\nthere are rallies or riots,\" Umar told reporters in reference to
\nquestions about preparations for the Annual Session.<\/p>\n
He said all the legislators are expected to check in to their
\nhotels, the Hilton Hotel and the Hotel Mulia, on Saturday.<\/p>\n
About 500 members of the Assembly, who are also members of the
\nHouse of Representatives, occupy official residences here while
\nthe remaining 200 members come from outside Jakarta.<\/p>\n
The remaining budget will be used for the socialization of the
\nresults of the Annual Session (Rp 5 billion), honorariums for
\nemployees and specially recruited assistants (Rp 7 billion) and
\ntransportation fees for the legislators (Rp 1 billion).<\/p>\n
Umar said that the digital congress network system inside the
\nPlenery Hall has also been prepared in the event that the
\nlegislators conduct a vote.<\/p>\n
He said the system was rejected during last year's general
\nelection amid suspicions of vote engineering. In the end,
\nlegislators opted for a more tedious manual system.<\/p>\n
At least 1,400 people have been hired to help support the
\nAnnual Session along with the 250 employees of the Assembly's
\nsecretariat.<\/p>\n
At least 1,600 security forces, military and police officers,
\nare being deployed to help secure the session.<\/p>\n
As many as 1,884 local journalists, from both print and
\nelectronic media, and 262 foreign journalists have also
\nregistered to cover the political event of the year. (jun)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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