Budget for public order raids raised

JAKARTA (JP): City Council's factions approved on Monday the administration's proposal to increase the current budget for public order operations from Rp 38 billion (US$4.2 million) to Rp 41 billion.

The factions delivered their general views over a revised budget proposed by the city administration last week.

The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) urged the administration to use the funds to increase compensation for becak (pedicab) drivers.

Faction spokesman Mustaman urged the administration to increase to Rp 400,000 from the current Rp 250,000 the compensation payment for each becak handed over by the driver to the administration.

"We also demanded that the administration should carry out public order raids more humanely," said Mustaman.

Thousands of pedicab drivers staged rallies at least twice in front of PDI Perjuangan's headquarters on Jl. Pecenongan last week to ask the party's help in stopping the operations against becak.

In the last rally, the drivers even returned their party membership cards to the headquarters since it seemed to them that the party did not care about their demands. (jun)