'Use of 'Pajero' was only suggestion'<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A memorandum from a governor that regents should
\nuse the Rp 185-million (US$81,600) Mitsubishi Pajero for their
\nofficial duties was only a suggestion, not an instruction, former
\nminister of home affairs Rudini said yesterday.<\/p>\n
\"I trust that the memorandum was only a recommendation,\"
\nRudini said. \"The suggestion must have been based on the
\ncondition of the local terrain.\"<\/p>\n
The Governor may have also considered the dealer's offer of a
\ndiscount on the market price of Rp 165 million (US$70,694.09), he
\nadded.<\/p>\n
Rudini was responding to criticisms of expensive public
\nservants' perks.<\/p>\n
On Tuesday students in South Sulawesi met with Governor Z.B.
\nPalaguna. During the meeting, the students questioned a memo
\ncirculated by the governor which, they said, stated that the
\nprovince's 23 regents should use the Mitsubishi Pajero vehicle.<\/p>\n
The Kompas daily quoted four South Sulawesi regents yesterday
\nas saying that Pajeros are most suitable for the rough terrain.<\/p>\n
\"If we can't use a sedan or a Kijang (Toyota Kijang van),
\nshould we use a horse?\" asked one regent.<\/p>\n
Sumitro Maskun, the director general of public administration
\nand regional autonomy under the Ministry of Home Affairs, said on
\nWednesday that even a Rp 85-million Trooper vehicle is too
\nexpensive for him.<\/p>\n
He said he will check the reports with the South Sulawesi
\nsecretariat under the Ministry.<\/p>\n
Plans for a Rp 7 billion official residence and guest house
\nfor the Central Java governor have also raised an uproar
\nrecently.<\/p>\n
Sumitro and State Minister of National Development Ginandjar
\nKartasasmita have both said the Central Java council should be
\nmore critical about such use of funds.<\/p>\n
The latest perk to come to the public's attention is a Rp 1.2
\nbillion swimming pool for the housing complex of regency
\nofficials in Bekasi, West Java.<\/p>\n
One resident has claimed that that sum of money could buy more
\nthan 200 low-cost homes.<\/p>\n
Minister of Home Affairs Yogie S. Memed is yet to comment on
\nthe matter. (anr)<\/p>",
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