Budget to be cut, council to react
Ahmad Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
City councillors are likely to object to a proposed slash in funds allocated to them in the 2003 city draft budget, after the administration announced on Thursday that it would cut the funds allocated to them in the budget.
Governor Sutiyoso said the administration would cut the allocation of Rp 91.6 billion (US$10 million) for the city's 85 councillors in the draft budget.
"We should dare to say that (cut the allocation). The councillors should have a conscience," Sutiyoso told reporters after inspecting a budget meeting at City Hall.
Due to public criticism, the governor said he would also agree to a reduction in the allocation of Rp 9 billion for him even though the allocation had been arranged according to regulations.
"I have suggested that my subordinates cut some of the allowances, such as for clothing and morning coffee, even though my subordinates say it is my right as a governor according to regulations," he said.
Meanwhile, City Secretary Ritola Tasmaya said allocations of lesser importance were likely to be reduced.
"The amount for several items in the allocation of Rp 91.6 billion will be reduced, but I cannot mention the amount," Ritola said.
Some Rp 42 billion of the Rp 91.6 billion draft budget is allocated in the draft budget for the councillors' basic salaries and transportation, Rp 1 billion for clothing, Rp 14 billion for welfare and the balance for other allowances. If approved, every councillor would be entitled a monthly income of Rp 90 million.
The 2003 draft budget also proposes Rp 9 billion for Sutiyoso, including Rp 3 billion for the governor's social and administrative activities, a Rp 100 million health allowance, Rp 90 million for morning coffee and Rp 65 million for clothing.
Separately, councillor Syamsidar Siregar of the National Mandate Party claimed that she did not object to the administration's plan to cut the allocation of Rp 91.6 billion for councillors.
"In that case, we will cut allocation of funds for unclear projects that are prone to corruption," Syamsidar, who is a member of the council's Commission E for social welfare affairs, said.
She asked the public not to question the allocation for councillors since it was small compared to the total budget of Rp 11.05 trillion.
Anna Rudhiantina of Commission C for financial and budgetary affairs said on Wednesday that budget allocations were the prerogative of the council according to Law 22/1999 on regional autonomy.
Anna, who is a Golkar councillor, claimed that government regulation No. 110/2000, which puts a cap on councillors' salaries, had been repealed as it was unlawful.
Activist Azas Tigor Nainggolan said that the absence of a clear regulation enabled councillors and city officials to capitalize on the budget.
"They can make deals that favor both councillors and city administration officials. They do not think about the people," Tigor, chairman of the Jakarta Residents Forum, said.