Call to donate must be voluntary, councilors say

JAKARTA (JP): City councilors welcomed yesterday President Soeharto's call to donate one year's salary to the poor so long as it was not made obligatory.

Council Speaker Edy Waluyo said he had not discussed the latest poverty alleviation campaign with all 75 councilors so he was unable to say whether there would be agreement.

"The council consists of people representing different political groups with different missions so it's not easy to make a decision," he said.

"It's not like the city administration, which has only one command line. The governor has the power to order his subordinates while I don't."

Edy predicted that complicated considerations would have to be taken into account when deciding whether the council would take part in the campaign because each member had different financial capabilities.

Governor Sutiyoso said Wednesday that he, his deputies and the city's five mayors would follow the example of President Soeharto who requested cabinet ministers donate their first year's salary to those bearing the brunt of the economic crisis.

Leader of the Golkar faction Fatommy Asaari said the President's initiative should be respected but the Council should consider whether the donation would burden less-wealthy members.

"How about those who have no other sources of income but rely only on their salary as a council member? How would they support their family?"

He stressed that donating one's salary was only one way to help the poor.

"I don't agree if the movement is made obligatory. Imagine if a councilor has to finance his/her children's education.

"I'm afraid the noble cause will tempt officials to compensate their lost salary with ill-gotten gains if it is made mandatory."

Chief of the Armed Forces faction in the Council Sumekar Kartawijaya said he welcomed the campaign but noted that it should be made voluntary.

"During this time of crisis people should join forces to end the economic turmoil, the wealthy should help the poor," he said. "However, the council cannot force members to join the movement. It should be voluntary."

Leader of the United Development Party Achmad Suaidy gave his support to the salary donation campaign so long as it was not obligatory.

"If it is made obligatory I'm afraid councilors would turn to corrupt practices," he said.

Governor Sutiyoso said he would consider detailed instructions from the President concerning a requirement that officials have their wealth audited before and after they assume their position.

"If the President orders us to have our wealth audited, I will obey it. If the policy applies to deputy governors and other senior officials, I will ask them to do so," he said.

City Hall's regional secretary Fauzi Bowo said yesterday the administration was compiling a list of officials who want to donate their salaries for the poverty alleviation programs.

"We hope that the list will be ready next week," Fauzi said. Officials in echelon IV and above are being invited to donate their salaries, he said. (ind/edt)