Fifty percent of charity money goes to city coffer
Fifty percent of charity money goes to city coffer
JAKARTA (JP): Fifty percent of earnings collected for charity
by private organizations must be handed over to the city
administration, an official said on Monday.
Head of the City Social Agency, Eddy Widodo, insisted that the
policy was stated in a 1994 city rule, the implementation of
which is being "intensified" after the agency found that many
needy sectors lacked funds while there are those with adequate
contributions.
He said the rule aimed to ensure that those in need got enough
contributions, which would be distributed by the agency, "because
we have the data on the more needy sectors" such as homes for the
elderly.
In comparison, for instance, more is contributed to the
construction of mosques and people afflicted by disasters such as
fires, Eddy said in a gathering with private organizations.
Ensuring that funds reached the needy, he said, has been more
difficult since the dissolving of the ministry in charge of
social affairs in the early days of President Abdurrahman Wahid's
administration.
Eddy said the rule affected fund-raising in the forms of
donation boxes and charity shows.
He said this year the agency had received 49 proposals for
fund-raising, in line with procedures.
However, a councilor said the 1994 rule on the distribution of
charity funds should be revised.
Deputy chairman of Commission E for social welfare at City
Council H.A.H Ishak said the rule lacked necessary details on the
allocation of funds, and what the government should do with its
50 percent share.
"In general the rule does not provide a solution to possible
fraud in the collection of charity funds."
He questioned why charities should be regulated by the
governor.
Eddy said the punishment of those who violate the 1994 rule
was that "permits to collect funds would be withdrawn".
Another councilor, Tubagus Sofyan, as quoted by Antara news
agency, said it was not possible to hand over 50 percent of
charity funds to the city administration.
The party to benefit from contributions, he said, citing as an
example alms to Bengkulu earthquake victims, are always announced
to potential contributors.
"It would be a betrayal of trust to the contributors" if the
party collecting alms then delivers half of the funds to the
city," Tubagus said.
"Often 100 percent of contributions don't reach targeted
groups, how much would be left if we cut 50 percent?" he said.
The City Social Agency, he said, has its own budget for helping
the needy. (07)