25 poor subdistricts to receive Rp 50 billion
25 poor subdistricts to receive Rp 50 billion
JAKARTA (JP): The elite Menteng subdistrict in Central Jakarta
is among 25 poor subdistricts in the city's five mayoralties that
will receive a total Rp 50 billion (US$4.5 million) grant from
the city administration.
The Menteng subdistrict is known as an upmarket area with
luxurious houses, including the residence of Vice President
Megawati Soekarnoputri and those of former president Soeharto's
family.
City Spokesman Muhayat said on Wednesday that Menteng is
included in the list of poor subdistricts that deserve the fund
as there are two poor community units (RW) located adjacent to a
railway track near the Ciliwung river, which are considered to be
poor communities.
There is a total of 265 subdistricts in the city.
The Rp 50 billion fund is allocated under a program called the
Empowerment of Subdistricts Communities and would be taken from
development monies in the 2001 City Budget.
"It would be disbursed soon after the public had been made
aware of the program, a process which should be completed this
month," Muhayat told reporters.
He said the poor subdistricts would receive Rp 2 billion each
and are allowed to decide the use of the fund according to their
needs.
"The fund would be disbursed to the subdistricts directly
under the 'block grant' system, without interference by city
agencies," he said.
Although the subdistricts are free to decide how to spend it,
Muhayat said use of the fund would be supervised and monitored by
non-governmental organizations (NGOs), including the Indonesian
Forum for Budget Transparency (Fitra) led by sociologist La Ode
Ida.
"We carefully selected the NGOs since we knew that some of
them were not qualified," he remarked.
Other poor subdistricts in Central Jakarta are South Mangga
Dua, Serdang, Kramat and Menteng.
Five poor subdistricts in North Jakarta are Sungai Bambu, West
Pademangan, Lagoa, Kebon Bawang and Penjaringan, while the five
in West Jakarta are Tegal Alur, Duri Kosambi, Jelambar, Tanah
Sereal and Duri Kepa.
Five of East Jakarta's poor subdistricts are Pal Meriam, Kayu
Manis, Kebon Manggis, Klender and Kampung Melayu and five in
South Jakarta are Karet Kuningan, West Cilandak, East Cilandak,
Cikoko and Pela Mampang.
All of these would receive the fund.
Last year, the city administration allocated Rp 15 billion to
15 poor subdistricts. (jun)