{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1439619,
        "msgid": "wasted-flags-1447899208",
        "date": "1999-05-22 00:00:00",
        "title": "Wasted flags",
        "author": null,
        "source": "JP",
        "tags": null,
        "topic": null,
        "summary": "Wasted flags It was surprising to learn that the Jakarta city administration allocated Rp 2 billion (US$231,000) for the purchase and raising of 5,400 campaign flags (Parties' flags to start flying, The Jakarta Post, April 26, 1999). The cost per flag works out to US$42.78. Presumably the flags will be discarded at the end of the campaign period and, hopefully, not flown again for another five years.",
        "content": "<p>Wasted flags<\/p>\n<p>It was surprising to learn that the Jakarta city<br>\nadministration allocated Rp 2 billion (US$231,000) for the<br>\npurchase and raising of 5,400 campaign flags (Parties' flags to<br>\nstart flying, The Jakarta Post, April 26, 1999). The cost per<br>\nflag works out to US$42.78.<\/p>\n<p>Presumably the flags will be discarded at the end of the<br>\ncampaign period and, hopefully, not flown again for another five<br>\nyears.<\/p>\n<p>Perhaps the administration could approach the 48 political<br>\nparties on whose behalf the flags are being purchased and inquire<br>\nwhether the funds might be better used to alleviate the effects<br>\nof the economic crisis on Jakarta's less fortunate potential<br>\nvoters.<\/p>\n<p>If past campaigns are anything to go by, ardent campaigners<br>\nseem quite prepared to do their own flag waving.<\/p>\n<p>NICK WILSON<\/p>\n<p>Jakarta<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/wasted-flags-1447899208",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}