Council not informed on building

SEMARANG: The Central Java legislative body has yet to be informed about Minister of Home Affairs' recent decree endorsing the plan by the provincial administration to build a luxurious office for the association of retired civil servants.

Antara quoted vice chairman of the council H.A. Karmani as saying here Saturday the council had to be consulted before construction of the Rp 9.6 billion (US$3.5 million) building could commence.

"Such home affairs ministerial decrees are usually open to the public... let's hope the governor will soon submit the letter to the council for deliberation," he said.

The project became a target of criticism last year from councilors who protested the huge amount of funds involved. Local administration officials said public protest had been "accommodated" in that the building would not be constructed on Menteri Supeno Park, as previously planned. (swe)