Bone to spend Rp 9.9b on cars

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: Bone regency administration in South Sulawesi plans to buy 42 new official cars, two buses, a fire truck and 240 motorcycles worth Rp 9.9 billion, officials said on Saturday.

Muhammad Ridwan, general affairs head at the administration, said the money would come from the regency's 2003 budget.

The Bone regent will receive a Nissan Terrano SUV and each of the 27 subdistrict heads will each get a Toyota Kijang van, he said.

Ridwan said the vehicles would replace official cars that were 10 years old. The move is to support the improvement of local officials' performance.

Members of the Bone General Elections Commission and the Bone Elections Supervisory Committee as well local military officers will also be among the recipients of the official cars.

Meanwhile, at least 224 village heads will each receive motorcycles. Other recipients include five local police officers.

Ridwan said his office would also buy two buses to pick up local officials from and to their homes, and a fire truck that can carry 6,000 liters of water. --Antara