Ahmad Junaidi

Ahmad Junaidi
The Jakarta Post
Jakarta

The city administration has proposed a 2002 City Budget
totaling Rp 8.8 trillion, with increased funding for the
repression of disadvantaged people and for Governor Sutiyoso's
wardrobe.

The proposed allocation of funds for public order operations
is Rp 63 billion. This year, public order operations received Rp
45 billion, out of a total budget of Rp 8.1 trillion.

For Sutiyoso's wardrobe, the proposed allowance has been
increased from Rp 40 million to Rp 65 million.

"With the planned increase in the budget for public order
operations, City Governor Sutiyoso seems to be getting more
repressive against poor people," chairman of the Jakarta
Residents Forum (Fakta) Azas Tigor Nainggolan said on Wednesday.

After cracking down on thousands of becak (pedicab) in the
city, the administration would likely use the money mostly for
operations against street vendors, Tigor said.

He suggested that the Rp 63 billion be used to support poor
people, such as by creating job opportunities, building community
health centers and improving teachers' conditions.

It seems that Sutiyoso increased the budget allocation for the
public order office because it has often received criticism over
its failure to improve order in the city.

Public order officers recently raided hundreds of street
vendors around the city, seizing and demolishing their
belongings, including tents and kiosks.

The central government is expected to allocate funding for
development projects of Rp 700 billion, the same as under the
2001 budget.

The city sanitation agency would receive Rp 195 billion for
its routine expenditures, while an addition of Rp 60 billion
would be allocated for the agency's development budget, which
would include the fund to purchase new garbage trucks.

About Rp 5.51 trillion, or 62.2 percent of the 2002 budget,
which was proposed by Sutiyoso on Thursday, would be used for
public spending, while Rp 3.34 trillion or 37.7 percent would be
used for routine expenditures.

This year's routine expenditure reached 70 percent of the Rp
8.1 trillion, while development spending was 30 percent.

Routine expenditures seem to have decreased significantly
under next year's budget, but this does not necessarily reflect
the city administration's concern for the public. In the 2002
budget, expenses that used to be categorized under routine
expenditures would be included in public spending, such as
maintenance of garbage trucks, hospitals and roads.

Meanwhile, the budget for Sutiyoso's official wardrobe would
be increased from Rp 40 million to Rp 65 million, while his
allowances for official trips, health and house maintenance would
slightly decrease.

The proposed allowances for the 85 city councillors increase
slightly to Rp 18.6 billion.