{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1120762,
        "msgid": "new-council-building-not-a-priority-1447893297",
        "date": "2001-07-31 00:00:00",
        "title": "New council building 'not a priority'",
        "author": null,
        "source": "JP",
        "tags": null,
        "topic": null,
        "summary": "New council building 'not a priority' JAKARTA (JP): The city administration, in response to mounting criticism over its plan to buy a new building for the City Council, stated on Monday that it would take some time before the plan could be materialized. City Governor Sutiyoso said the government would not buy the Timor building on Jl. Medan Merdeka Timur in Central Jakarta, at least until next year. \"The new council building is not a priority.",
        "content": "<p>New council building 'not a priority'<\/p>\n<p>JAKARTA (JP): The city administration, in response to mounting<br>\ncriticism over its plan to buy a new building for the City<br>\nCouncil, stated on Monday that it would take some time before the<br>\nplan could be materialized.<\/p>\n<p>City Governor Sutiyoso said the government would not buy the<br>\nTimor building on Jl. Medan Merdeka Timur in Central Jakarta, at<br>\nleast until next year.<\/p>\n<p>\"The new council building is not a priority. This current City<br>\nBudget focuses on poverty alleviation programs,\" he told<br>\nreporters at the City Hall.<\/p>\n<p>Besides the lack of funds, Sutiyoso said, the city<br>\nadministration could not buy the Timor building in the near<br>\nfuture as the building is still locked in a dispute between its<br>\nowner, Humpuss group and the Ministry of Finance's Directorate<br>\nGeneral for Taxation. Humpuss belongs to former president<br>\nSoeharto's son Hutomo Mandala Putra, who is at large despite<br>\nbeing convicted for corruption.<\/p>\n<p>Separately, City Council chairman Edy Waluyo lowered his tone<br>\non Monday by saying that the idea to move to the new building was<br>\njust a proposal.<\/p>\n<p>\"If we could not have it this year, it's OK. It's just up for<br>\ndiscussion,\" Edy said.<\/p>\n<p>He underlined, however, that the old building was no longer<br>\nappropriate for the council's activities.<\/p>\n<p>He claimed that the building, which was designed for only 45<br>\ncouncillors, could no longer accommodate the city's 85<br>\ncouncillors.<\/p>\n<p>\"In the past, there were only three factions, now we have 11,\"<br>\nhe said.<\/p>\n<p>Councillors have come under fire as they have demanded a new<br>\nbuilding, to be equipped with a sauna and fitness center, similar<br>\nto the city administration building.<\/p>\n<p>Several activists blasted the councillors on Sunday, saying<br>\nthat they were greedy people who just demand facilities and do<br>\nnot care about the public.<\/p>\n<p>Edy's comment on Monday differed from his earlier statement on<br>\nFriday, when he said that he hoped the Timor building could be<br>\nbought this year. (jun)<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/new-council-building-not-a-priority-1447893297",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}