Councilors to study official houses

Councilors to study official houses

SEMARANG, Central Java: In response to public uproar over the
planned construction of a Rp 7 billion (US$3.086 million)
official residence for the governor, the provincial legislative
council will "study" the official houses of governors of West and
East Java.

Councilor Samsuri Gandhakusuma, heading a team of seven
members, said they need to make a "comparison study" of the
governors' official houses so that they can make the best
decision and resolve controversies over the project.

Legislators and the public alike have criticized the expensive
project as improper, given the high number of poor people in the
province.

Antara reported that Governor Soewardi, who recently defended
the project and denied being extravagant, supported the
councilors' plan.

"This way, the councilors would know how important it is to
construct buildings which can make the local people proud because
of their monumental values," he argued. (swe)