Council approves bylaw on official perks

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The City Council passed on Friday a bylaw on financial matters for council members, but dropped a request for official cars for the councillors.

The bylaw stipulates that all 75 councillors are entitled to a monthly salary, housing allowance, health insurance for them and their families, a clothing allowance and various other benefits.

Governor Sutiyoso said he would soon issue a gubernatorial decree on the bylaw.

City Secretary Ritola Tasmaya said a small team of administration officials and councillors would be established to discuss the details of the bylaw, including the housing allowance.

"We will consider the housing allowances councillors in other provinces receive," he added.

The bylaw includes a collective living allowance of Rp 16.87 billion for the 75 councillors.

Other perks included in the bylaw are Rp 5.04 billion bonus fund for the deliberation of draft bylaws and a Rp 3.89 billion committee allowance for councillors who set up and/or work on committees or special tasks.

The bylaw also calls for the allotment of Rp 2.7 billion (US$290,322) to renovate the council speaker's official house in Pejaten, South Jakarta.