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)