No proper debate in soccer subsidy<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Several councillors have blown the whistle on a Rp 20 billion
\n(US$2.22 million) allocation for the Jakarta soccer team
\n(Persija) in the 2005 city budget.<\/p>\n
The councillors say the allocation is double the amount
\napproved at the commission level.<\/p>\n
A member of the City Council's Commission A for legal and
\nadministrative affairs, Rois Hadayana Syaudie, said on Monday the
\ncommission only approved a Rp 10 billion subsidy for Persija.<\/p>\n
\"What I know is that the commission approved Rp 10 billion for
\nthe soccer team. It was without the knowledge of the commission
\nthat the final allocation was increased to Rp 20 billion,\" said
\nRois.<\/p>\n
The city budget was endorsed by all of the City Council's 75
\nmembers representing seven factions.<\/p>\n
In the draft budget, the city administration allocated Rp 21
\nbillion for the team, but councillors objected to that figure and
\nbelieved that they convinced the administration to cut the
\nallocation to Rp 10 billion.<\/p>\n
Commission A chairman Achmad Suaidy confirmed the Rp 20
\nbillion subsidy for Persija, saying a decision on the issue was
\nmade by council leaders with his knowledge.<\/p>\n
Suaidy said he accepted the explanation of council leaders
\nthat Persija required the money to improve its performance on the
\npitch.<\/p>\n
He said some of the money was needed to hire foreign coaches
\nand players.<\/p>\n
\"I accept their arguments and I agree with the Rp 20 billion
\nallocation for the soccer team,\" he said.<\/p>\n
However, the chairman of Commission C for financial affairs
\nand the head of the council's budget team, Daniel Abdullah Sani,
\nsaid a commission chairman could not make a decision without the
\nknowledge of commission members.<\/p>\n
\"Theoretically, the final decision must be approved by all
\ncommission members. The chairman cannot act on behalf of the
\nmembers without their knowledge,\" he told The Jakarta Post on
\nMonday.<\/p>\n
Rois expressed his disappointment in the matter, saying
\ndebates at the commission level were meaningless because council
\nleaders could make decisions and changes according to their own
\nagendas.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/no-proper-debate-in-soccer-subsidy-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}