Rp 50b allocated for MPR General Session<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The price of democracy is high, and this year it
\nis estimated at some Rp 50 billion.<\/p>\n
That is the expected cost for the upcoming General Session of
\nthe People's Consultative Assembly, the most expensive ever held
\nin the nation's history.<\/p>\n
The Rp 49.269 billion budget more than doubles the Rp 20.74
\nbillion cost of the Assembly's Special Session in November 1998,
\nand tops the Rp 44.797 billion spent on the 1997 General Session.<\/p>\n
Assembly secretary-general Afif Ma'roef broke down the budget
\nhere on Thursday: Rp 31.33 billion for the General Session's
\nproceedings, Rp 13.10 for staff expenses and Rp 4.829 billion for
\nAssembly members' travel and accommodation.<\/p>\n
The General Session consists of two phases. The first phase
\nwill run from Oct. 1 to Oct. 3 and will see 700 new members sworn
\nin. They will then determine the details and specific dates for
\nthe next phase, which will include electing a new president and
\nendorsing the national guidelines.<\/p>\n
The current House will officially dissolve on Friday and the
\nmembers will meet President B.J. Habibie at the State Palace
\nafter the House's last plenary session.<\/p>\n
\"All new members are expected to be in Jakarta on Sept. 27,\"
\nAfif said, adding that House members would be accommodated in
\nHotel Indonesia and interest group and regional representatives
\nwould stay at Sahid Jaya Hotel.<\/p>\n
General Elections Commission secretary Samad Tahir said the
\ncommission would cover accommodation expenses from Sept. 27 until
\nAssembly members were sworn in, because technically it was still
\nthe seventh phase of the elections.<\/p>\n
\"After being sworn in, the expenses will be the responsibility
\nof the Assembly's Secretariat General,\" Samad said.<\/p>\n
Separately, the State Administrative Court ordered the
\ncommission to postpone its decision to name five organizations as
\nyouth or student representatives for the interest group faction
\nin the Assembly.<\/p>\n
The Court sided with the Indonesian National Youth Committee,
\nwhich filed a lawsuit contending the five organizations selected
\nby the commission did not represent youth or student groups.<\/p>\n
The five organizations selected by the commission were: the
\nIndonesian Consumers Foundation, the Indonesian Planned
\nParenthood Association, the Indonesian Financial Executives
\nAssociation, the Indonesian Women's Association for Justice, and
\nthe Alliance of Republic of Indonesia Intellectuals. (05\/prb)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/rp-50b-allocated-for-mpr-general-session-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}