PKS councillors to return severance pay<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
All four councillors of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS)
\nfaction will return the severance pay that is distributed at the
\nend of councillors' five-year terms.<\/p>\n
Party leader for Jakarta Ahmad Heriyawan, said the decision
\nwas based on a circular issued by PKS' central board that
\nprohibited its members from receiving taxpayers' money.<\/p>\n
"It has become policy, so we are acting according to orders,"
\nHeriyawan said at the City Council on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Each city councillor is entitled to severance pay of Rp 25
\nmillion. The city administration has earmarked Rp 2.1 billion of
\nthe city budget for the severance pay of 84 councillors.<\/p>\n
Heriyawan said PKS councillors would not take the opportunity
\nto own the official sedans they had used while in office.<\/p>\n
"When our terms end, of course, we must return them," he said.<\/p>\n
Aside from PKS, councillors of other factions are apparently
\nlooking forward to their severance pay, even if some jokingly
\ncall it "meager."<\/p>\n
Several other councillors also expressed their willingness to
\nown official sedans by "purchasing" them at a lower price than
\ntheir market value.<\/p>\n
According to the calculations of Fitra, a non-governmental
\norganization dealing with budget accountability, each councillor
\nreceives a total net income of Rp 1.7 billion during their five-
\nyear term.<\/p>\n
PKS secured 18 seats out of 75 seats in the City Council after
\ntheir party garnered the largest number of votes in Jakarta in
\nthe April 5 election.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/pks-councillors-to-return-severance-pay-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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