Councill's house moves demolished by critics
Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta
Activists slammed city councillors on Wednesday for requesting a monthly housing allowance of Rp 12.5 million each, saying they had broken their own election vows to live modestly.
Chairman of the Indonesian Forum for Budget Transparency (Fitra) Arif Nur Alam said on Wednesday the councillors' housing allowance should not be made a top priority.
For example, he said, the money could be better spent on the development of the East Flood Canal to prevent seasonal floods in the capital, which damage thousands of residents' homes.
He said that most of the councillors had their own houses and did not need the allowance.
"It is part of city councillors' efforts to take as much money from the budget as possible, since many of them have a house in Jakarta," Arif told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.
Councillor Ade Surapriatna of the Golkar Party said on Monday that the City Council had requested a monthly housing allowance of Rp 12.5 million (US$1,390) for each of its 71 councillors. That amount is more than double their basic salary of Rp 6 million per month.
Ade said councillors needed a housing allowance as the city administration had not been able to provide them with official residences.
Meanwhile, Governor Sutiyoso gave a vague answer on Wednesday when asked whether or not he would grant the councillors' request.
He said he had not issued a gubernatorial decree on the matter as it was not a pressing issue.
Sutiyoso stressed that government regulation No. 24/2004 on protocol and financial matters for regional council leaders and members only rules on rental fees for councillors, not a housing allowance per se.
"If I approve the proposal, we (councillors and himself) could face prison terms. There have been many examples in other regions. We must avoid such a possibility," he said on Wednesday.
Sharing Arif's views, chairman of the Jakarta Residents Forum (Fakta) Azas Tigor Nainggolan said that the councillors had no right to ask for a housing allowance.
According to Tigor, Government Regulation No. 24/2004 stipulates that a housing allowance should only be provided for councillors in other provinces, whose houses are far from the provincial capital.
"Jakarta councillors can go home every day. Therefore, such a facility is not necessary. It is just squandering taxpayers' money," Tigor told the Post.
Tigor said the councillors' request had been made only after they were denied official cars, following widespread public opposition.
"Although they were refused official cars, (with the allowance) they will be happy now, as they can buy luxury cars in installments," he added.