Councilors condemn a fellow over money

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)