Councillors split over cash payments

Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, Bandung

Several members of the provincial legislative council defied on Tuesday the institution's policy to accept cash from the administration to buy plots of land for houses.

Rizal Fadillah of the United Development Party of Reform called on the councillors to return the payments for the sake of the council's image.

"To restore the council's prestige and bettered image, I think all council members should return the money," Rizal said.

Each of the 100 council members receives Rp 250 million, which is to be paid in total over three fiscal years, in this case between 2001 and 2003. The council's speaker, Eka Santosa, said on Monday the councillors deserved the money and would not give it back to the provincial administration because it had been given via proper procedures.

Two councillors from the Justice Party claimed to have returned the cash payments in the form of basic needs distributed to the poor.

A National Mandate Party councillor, who requested anonymity, said Eka made the statement in his personal capacity and did not represent the institution.

"I won't risk being condemned by the public and my constituents. I don't know much about the payment because I received it from the faction leader," he said.

"Shortly after I descended the podium at last Friday's prayers, a man told me he had lost his trust in me due to the gift," he recalled.

Daud Gunawan of the Crescent Star Party also agreed with the public's condemnation and said he would return the money to the provincial administration.

The contradictory move came after 100 activists who claimed to represent 38 non-governmental organizations across the province staged a rally to protest the council's refusal to return the payments. It was the seventh demonstration in as many days.

To the protesters' disappointment, no councillors turned up to respond to the demand.