City councilors to submit report on European trip

JAKARTA (JP): City councillors from Commission D for development affairs promised on Friday to submit reports on their recent 10-day European tour for their accountability to the council.

"I have to translate the materials (all in English) first into Bahasa Indonesia before drafting the report. I expect to finish it by middle of this month," councillor Tjuk Sudono of the National Mandate Party (PAN) faction, who was appointed to compile the reports by the commission, told reporters.

Tjuk, who joined the London-Paris-Rotterdam trip, also insisted that the Rp 3 billion European tour for all of the 85 city councillors had nothing to do with Governor Sutiyoso.

According to him, the Rp 3 billion fund was allocated in the city budget for the trip of the councillors, who are scheduled to depart in stages.

The tour came under heavy criticism as many regarded it as a waste of taxpayers' money in such times of hardship. Others labeled the trip as an effort of the city administration's to secure Sutiyoso, who is to deliver his accountability speech in front of the city councillors on June 2.

The tour was also considered just a holiday trip as most of the itineraries were tourist attractions, such as Buckingham Palace and Versailles Palace.

Tjuk, however, denied the accusations.

"We'll give objective appraisal to Sutiyoso's speech. It was already on our list of activities with our own budget," he said.

He said that budget of the trip for each councillor was set at US$7,000 all-in, including return tickets, accommodation and a personal allowance of Rp 10 million (US$1,250).

"The tour is intended to broaden our views on city problems. We can also have more references to solve problems here," Tjuk explained.

On whether the tour was useful or not, he said it would depend personally on the councillors.

"I, for sure, received a lot of information on issues of city management. I don't know about the other councillors," he said.

Separately interviewed, City Council speaker Edy Waluyo said that the study was not aimed to European countries only.

"I have asked the councillors to go to Muangthai and Japan. The Australian Embassy has also invited city councillors to visit the country as a means to mend the ties between two countries," he told reporters.

The ties have worsened because of Australia's aggressive and unfriendly attitude toward Indonesia over East Timor issue.

"The embassy hopes the councillors visit will help restore the damaged relationship," he added.

Edy said the tour was important because current councillors came from different backgrounds and needed enhancement to balance the city administration officials.

Tjuk and 13 other councillors from Commission D returned on Wednesday. Two other members from the commission did not join the trip for personal reasons.

Members of Commission C for financial affairs are to leave for Europe on Saturday, while their colleagues from Commission B for economic affairs are slated to leave on May 13.

All the European tours for the three commissions were arranged by the privately-owned Casa Holiday tour and travel agency to exactly the same countries and cities.

In January, members of Commission A for administration affairs were the first to leave. The schedule for members of Commission E on social affairs is not yet clear.

According to Tjuk, the Rp 10 million personal allowance was not enough for the trip.

"I had to use my own money to study more areas," he said.

The Commission D councillors studied public transport management in London, waste treatment in Paris and seaports in Rotterdam. (nvn)