Students oppose councillors' planned overseas trip<\/p>\n
BANDUNG (JP): West Java students oppose the provincial
\nlegislative council's plan for an overseas trip to Malaysia,
\nsaying that the project was irrelevant to the current people's
\neconomy.<\/p>\n
\"Comparative studies could be made at home by visiting other
\nprovinces. While the people are struggling to survive the soaring
\nprices of commodities following the increase in fuel prices, the
\nlegislators are going to waste the people's money,\" Akhmad Zaki
\nYudin, the coordinator of the West Java Students Committee for
\nParliament Watch (KMP2JB), said on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Akhmad was responding to the plan made by the Budget
\nCommission at the provincial legislature for 22 of its members to
\nleave for Johor, Malaysia for a comparative study on Oct. 24.<\/p>\n
A commission member, who asked for anonymity, said the
\nlegislators would learn from Johor its financial managerial
\nsystem and economy.<\/p>\n
Deputy chairman of the commission Mahmoed D. said the plan had
\nbeen long studied. \"Inputs from scholars and economists have been
\ntaken into consideration before deciding to go to Johor. The plan
\nwill likely be approved by all commission members.\"<\/p>\n
They will be in Johor for five days.<\/p>\n
The current commission chairman, Eka Santosa said he was not
\nwell informed about the plan, saying that he was only appointed
\nchairman on Oct. 3, two months after the plan was decided.<\/p>\n
Eka defended the plan, however, saying that each councilor had
\nthe right to go abroad for comparative study as mentioned in the
\nlegislature annual budget.<\/p>\n
According to the annual budget, each legislator is entitled to
\nRp 10 million for overseas travel within a fiscal year.<\/p>\n
In September, members of Commission C went to Thailand for a
\nsimilar purpose. Syarif Bastaman, member of the commission, said
\neight councilors left for Thailand on Sept. 16 and returned on
\nOct. 21. \"They visited agribusiness projects and an agricultural
\nseeding center in the village of Noonoch.\"<\/p>\n
He also said that the West Java councilors had also 'learnt
\nabout theater' after watching the famous Alcazar Show in Pattaya,
\nThailand. \"The West Java administration plans to convert the
\nMayestik movie building on Jl. Braga, Bandung, into a play
\nhouse.\"<\/p>\n
Just two weeks ago Commission A canceled its plan to go to
\nMalaysia, the Philippines and Singapore. (25\/sur)<\/p>",
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