Batam councillors get new cars

Fadli, The Jakarta Post, Batam

A number of non-governmental organizations have condemned the provision of luxury cars by the Batam administration to 26 members of the city legislative council, saying both the city administration and the legislature did not have a sense of crisis.

Batam Corruption Watch called on the government audit agency (BPKP) to audit the provincial administration and the home ministry to look into any possible irregularities behind the provision of the cars.

"It is quite unfair and ironic that councillors drive in luxury while a great majority of the locals are still living in shanties on the island. If the councillors have any solidarity with the poor, they could use more modest cars and allocate the remaining funds from the car budget to help build low-cost houses for people of low income," Samsul Paloh, coordinator of Batam Corruption Watch, told The Jakarta Post here on Saturday.

The 26 Toyota Altys purchased at the total price of Rp 3.5 billion from the city's 2002 budget were handed over to all councillors last Thursday.

The cars cost Rp 150 million each on the import tax-free island.

Dipanusa Riung, coordinator of Regional Autonomy Watch, said the cars' provision was linked with the hoarding of generic drugs at the local health office' storehouse revealed by the legislative council recently.

"The provision of luxury cars is full of political nuances creating confusion for the public. We are still investigating the case," said Dipanusa," he said.

Sabar Malau, chairman of the Student Executive Body (BEM) of the International University in the city, regretted the cars' provision, saying the students would closely monitor the mayor's performance.

Reliable sources said that the provision of cars was linked to the legislature's silence over the alleged rife corruption in the city administration, including the recent construction of the legislative council building.

Batam Mayor Nyat Kadir denied any wrongdoing, saying: "The provision of official cars for the councillors is included in the 2002 budget and the public should not speculate over it because there is no nothing wrong with it."

Ibnu Hajar Sahonang, a member of the legislature's Commission A on economic and development affairs, said all councillors with the exception of the speaker and deputy speakers had been in need of official cars to help improve their performance.

"The legislators are accountable because they were purchased with public funds," he said.