Council's China trip opposed

Council's China trip opposed

TANGERANG: The Banten Provincial Council's plan for a trip to
China at the end of their term in office in August, met strong
opposition from some of its members and residents.

Councillor Yayat Suhartono lambasted the plan, saying it would
be a waste of taxpayer money. "What's the use of such a visit as
at the end of our term? It's absolutely illogical," he said on
Friday.

Council speaker Dharmono K. Lawi said the long-planned visit
of 75 councillors was meant to hold "comparative studies" and
would cost Rp 1.1 billion (US$129,411) taken from the council
budget.

But councillor Mudjahid Chudari said he would not go along on
the trip, because the purpose was still unclear.

Commenting on the trip plan, political observer Toto St. Radik
questioned the timing of it.

"We're heading for general elections ... it's strange that, as
I heard, almost all councillors took days off during the election
campaign period and now they want to go together to China."

The Banten Muhamadiyah Youth and the Indonesian Muslim Student
Movement (PMII) also called the council to drop the plan.

"Wouldn't it better that the unused budget money be allocated
to improve public education and health facilities?" said PMII
executive Pujiono. -- JP