Edy to seek contributions clarification

Edy to seek contributions clarification

JAKARTA (JP): City Council speaker Edy Waluyo said yesterday
he would ask the municipality to clarify a circular requesting 55
city-owned firms to contribute up to Rp 815 million (US$56,500)
for the commemoration of Jakarta's 471st anniversary and
Indonesia's 53rd Independence Day.

Edy said that all the expenditure for the city's anniversary
commemoration, which falls on June 22, should come from a fund of
Rp 350 million set aside from the city budget.

"We should commemorate this year's anniversary in a very
modest way due to the economic crisis. That's why I will ask the
administration about the existence of the circular as it will
only burden the companies," he said.

Governor Sutiyoso signed the circular on June 1 even though he
reiterated that the commemoration would be held modestly. On
Wednesday he even warned all city administration officials not to
collect donations from the public for the celebration.

Based on the circular, the contributions would be used to
finance the installation of outdoor banners and ornaments on the
city's major thoroughfares, state buildings and shopping centers.

Of the Rp 815 million, Rp 406 million is to be spent on
financing the commemoration of the city's birthday, while the
other Rp 409 million is for Indonesia's Independence Day party on
Aug. 17.

The company asked to contribute the largest share is water
firm PDAM Jaya (Rp 114.5 million), followed by Bank DKI (Rp 53
million), PD Pembangunan Jaya (Rp 51.5 million), PT Bumi Serpong
Damai (Rp 50 million) and Pembangunan Jaya Ancol (Rp 43 million).

Edy also questioned why the administration wanted to set aside
such a large amount of money just for outdoor displays. "I agree
that such displays are needed to brighten up the events," he
said, "but should they cost that much?" (ind)