Public role in budget review hailed<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso asserted on Wednesday that the
\npublic would have the opportunity to participate in revising the
\n2001 city budget in July.<\/p>\n
\"We cannot revoke the approved city budget, but we can
\naccommodate criticism and suggestions for future improvements.
\nSo, I call on the community to believe in our goodwill,\" said
\nSutiyoso.<\/p>\n
He was responding to activists from a coalition of non-
\ngovernmental organizations for budget transparency, who met with
\ncity officials on Tuesday to express their disappointment with
\nthe amount of funds budgeted for development programs.<\/p>\n
Also present at the meeting was Deputy Governor for Economic
\nAffairs Fauzie Alvi Yasin.<\/p>\n
During the meeting, attended by at least 50 people, the city
\nadministration and representatives of the coalition agreed to
\nhold a follow-up discussion next week.<\/p>\n
\"It shows our goodwill and desire to accommodate public
\naspirations in the policy-making process,\" said Fauzie.<\/p>\n
He said the final decision on the 2001 city budget amendment
\nwas in the hands of the factions in the City Council.<\/p>\n
The head of City Council Commission C for economic affairs,
\nAmarullah Asbah, also said revising the city budget was the
\njurisdiction of each of the factions in the City Council.<\/p>\n
\"Politically, the 2001 city budget is a legal product of the
\nfactions. So any changes to the budget must be taken before a
\nplenary session of the City Council,\" said Amarullah.<\/p>\n
The activists demanded that the city administration and the
\nCity Council revoke the 2001 city budget.<\/p>\n
The City Council approved the Rp 7.49 trillion (about
\nUS$778.42 million) 2001 budget on Dec. 31, with Rp 4.98 trillion
\nallocated for routine expenditures and Rp 2.51 trillion for
\ndevelopment programs.<\/p>\n
The activists, including representatives from Public Service
\nCare, suggested the city administration allot a larger amount of
\nfunds for development programs than routine expenditures.<\/p>\n
\"It does not make sense. We found double the budget allocation
\n(for routine expenditures), which are being funded by several
\nfinancial sources,\" said Zoemrotin of the Indonesian Consumers
\nFoundation.<\/p>\n
Zoemrotin also said the city budget was not accessible to the
\npublic, given its difficult terminology.<\/p>\n
The activists threatened to call for public action by asking
\npeople not to pay increased taxes and levies, and said they were
\nconsidering filing a lawsuit against the city administration and
\nthe City Council. (07)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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