City Councillors wants cars, perks

Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta

The recent call for thrift by People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) chairman Hidayat Nurwahid has apparently yet to be heeded by the city's 75 councillors.

Instead, they will start discussing draft bylaws on financial matters for city council leaders and members that will entitle them to numerous facilities, including cars.

However, council deputy speaker Ahmad Heriyawan said that it all would depend on the council's nine factions on whether they actually receive the planned facilities.

Council speaker Ade Surapriatna is entitled to a Toyota New Crown from his previous tenure while his three deputies, including Heriyawan, are entitled to Toyota Camry, also from their previous terms.

The 71 councillors are wanting the newly launched Toyota Kijang Innova, priced at around Rp 200 million (US$22,222) each. This means that the city must allocate around Rp 14.2 billion just to provide cars to the councillors.

Previously, MPR chairman Hidayat made a call to all MPR and House of Representatives leaders not to accept luxury cars, such as Volvo's, in order to reduce state expenses, and for political leaders to start living "modest lives".

Councillor Syamsidar Siregar of the National Mandate Party (PAN) faction, who was re-elected, argued that Government Regulation No. 24/2004 on protocols and financial status for provincial council leaders and members did not prohibit respective administrations from providing facilities to councillors.

"Therefore, we will adopt a draft bylaw that the city administration provide cars for councillors only if it can afford them," she said on Sunday.

Councillors will discuss the 27-page draft bylaw at Monday's plenary meeting and will be expected to finish on Dec. 17. They will also deliberate the 2005 city budget that will start on Dec. 7.

The draft bylaw stipulates the council speaker's basic salary to be the same as the governor's basic salary of around Rp 6 million (US$660), with deputy council speakers getting 80 percent of this amount, and council members 75 percent.

Councillors are also entitled to allowances for health, clothing, housing, including an attendance allowance.

Councillor Arkeno of the Justice and Prosperous Party (PKS) faction said that he currently receives a salary of Rp 5.9 million as a council member.

The draft bylaw stipulates that all councillors are entitled to housing. If the administration cannot provide houses, then it must provide a housing allowance.