Ragunan gorillas not out of the woods<\/p>\n
Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Controversy over the Rp 3.2 billion (about US$300,000) fund
\nthat has been allocated for the care of four male gorillas from
\nEngland continued on Friday with Governor Sutiyoso's statement
\nthat the fund is only to used for the maintenance of the animals'
\nenclosure, and not for their meals.<\/p>\n
"We did not approve the Rp 3.2 billion for the gorillas' food.
\nThe money is for the enclosure maintenance, renovation and
\neverything (related to the enclosure)," Sutiyoso said, adding
\nthat the request for the fund was made by the Ragunan Zoo
\nmanagement.<\/p>\n
Sutiyoso, who appeared a bit upset, said there was no
\nmisappropriation in the city budget relating to the fund.<\/p>\n
He blamed reporters for causing the confusion among the
\npublic, which could make people suspicious about the marking up
\nof the city budget or any misappropriation in the spending of the
\nmoney.<\/p>\n
"That's not true. That (allegations of suspect activities)
\nprobably happened because of inaccurate media reports," he told
\njournalists.<\/p>\n
The construction on the new gorilla enclosure was completed
\nlate last month. It is still brand new, having no other tenants.<\/p>\n
The gorillas, which were expected to arrive here last month,
\nand take up residence at their luxurious accommodation, were
\ndelayed after their owner, the Howlett and Lympne Animal Park,
\npostponed the transfer due to the unstable security situation in
\nthe city.<\/p>\n
Sutiyoso's administration had officially said that it had
\nagreed to allocate the Rp 3.2 billion for the gorillas' overall
\ncare, including their food.<\/p>\n
The city council had also approved the allocation of the funds
\nfor the gorillas. But later, some councillors took it back,
\nsaying they were forced to agree with the plan.<\/p>\n
This year alone, zoo management has received Rp 27.5 billion
\nfrom the city budget.<\/p>\n
For next year, the zoo management recently told the city
\ncouncil they needed Rp 55 billion, including Rp 18.7 billion for
\na zoo renovation project. The council has not yet approved the
\nrequest, pending the accountability of the zoo management in the
\nusage of this year's budget.<\/p>\n
On Thursday, Willie Smits, director of the Gibbon Foundation,
\nwhich will provide support for the care of the apes, questioned
\nthe reason for the zoo management's proposal for the Rp 3.2
\nbillion from the city budget for the gorillas' care. He asserted
\nthat the foundation would cover all expenses for the gorillas.<\/p>\n
On the same day, a zoo official seemed to contradict his
\ncolleagues when he said the management had never asked for Rp 3.2
\nbillion for the care of the gorillas.<\/p>\n
Sutiyoso blamed Smits for not asking for a clarification from
\nthe city administration about the matter.<\/p>\n
"He (Smits) should have asked us, and not other parties, about
\nthe case," Sutiyoso said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ragunan-gorillas-not-out-of-the-woods-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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