Former councilors urged to return cars

JAKARTA (JP): The City Council expects 11 former councilors to return their official cars so they can be used by the newly elected councilors, an official said on Friday.

Council secretary Soemarto said he would write to the former councilors to return the cars -- nine Timor sedans and three Toyota Corona sedans.

"However, I hope that they understand and return the cars soon without waiting for our formal letters," Soemarto said.

He declined to mention their names, however, the Timor sedans were used by heads of the council's five commissions and four factions, while the three Corona sedans were used by deputies of the council speaker.

The five former commission heads, who ended their terms on Wednesday, are Hotma Tambunan of Administrative Affairs Commission A, Djafar Badjeber of Economic Affairs Commission B, Amarullah Asbah of Financial Affairs Commission C, Ali Wongso Sinaga of Development Affairs Commission D, and Soeparmo of Social Welfare Affairs Commission E.

The four former faction heads are Fatommy Asaari of the Golkar Party, Achmad Suaidy of the United Development Party (PPP), Lukman F. Mokoginta of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) and Sumekar K.W. of the armed forces (then known as ABRI) faction.

The three deputy speakers were Sugeng Suprijatna, Rusjdi Hamka and M. Ade Supriatna. Edy Waluyo of the ABRI faction was the council speaker.

Outgoing councilors earlier asked the city administration to help cover their debts, some of them ranging Rp 50 million (US$6,700) to Rp 75 million, at city-owned Bank DKI.

Governor Sutiyoso rejected the demand, saying that the request had no legal basis. (jun)