Councilors condemn a fellow over money

JAKARTA (JP): City councillors condemned on Thursday a fellow legislative member for having asked for 'donations' from five city-owned agencies to finance a working trip to North Sulawesi next year.

"It's such a disgusting thing to do and the council will impose a strict warning on the councilor," City Council Speaker Eddy Waluyo told reporters at City Hall on Thursday.

He said further sanctions would be imposed by the councillor's faction and commission.

Deputy council speaker of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) Tarmidi Suhardjo said the incident had disgraced the council's dignity.

"City councilors are not permitted to receive or ask for money from any parties," Tarmidi said.

Ahmad Heryawan of the Justice Party (PK) faction stressed the need to reveal all similar scandals in the council.

"We have to check all the councilors one by one, if necessary," he said.

Ahmad said further that the scandal could damage the axis- force coalition of the Muslim-based parties.

Saud Rachman of the United Development Party (PPP) faction, in his capacity as the deputy chairman of the council's Commission D, had reportedly asked the five agencies to finance the commission's trip to North Sulawesi.

Saud said separately that he did not force the agencies to give the money.

"Everything was voluntary," Saud said.

The five agencies were the City Public Land Transportation Agency (DLLAJR), the City Public Works Agency, the City Planning Agency, the City Development Control Agency and the City Administration Finance Office. (05)