Reimbursement of junket funds<\/p>\n
The hurly-burly of the recent study tour or work visit to Bali
\nby members of the House of Representatives stunned the general
\npublic, as their earlier overseas \"comparative\" study drama was
\nstill in the people's mind. Really, the House members'
\nperformance raises big questions. As the end of the year
\napproaches, their promise to finalize 55 bills on their agenda
\nthis year is doubtful.<\/p>\n
In the meantime, their proposed 2006 foreign study budget
\namounts to Rp 32.4 billion (US$32 million), more than twice this
\nyear's Rp 14.6 billion and last year's Rp 16.1 billion (The
\nJakarta Post , Aug. 1). The ideal amount would, of course, be no
\nmore than Rp 20 billion.<\/p>\n
However, with their rowdy junket to Bali having become hot
\nnews, there is a need to change the system by introducing a
\nreimbursement mechanism by which House members making a trip can
\nbe reimbursed according to the number of days they spend outside
\nof the city. In case they refuse to pay with their own money,
\nthey can get a loan from the House Secretariat. This may also
\ninclude their foreign trips.<\/p>\n
The same method may actually be applicable to other civil
\nservants, as the present lump-sum system is prone to abuse.<\/p>\n
This is one way to eradicate corruption and it is the
\nminister\/head of National Development Planning Agency (BAPPENAS),
\nminister of finance and minister of administrative reform who
\nhave the obligation to make the change.<\/p>\n
Successfully changing this system would mean saving at least a
\nquarter of the reported 30 percent of the state budget lost to
\ncorruption, as the major corruption occurs in the area of
\nprocurement with their notorious markups.<\/p>\n
M. RUSDI, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/reimbursement-of-junket-funds-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }