Funds for RT/RWs not salaries

JAKARTA: Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso asserted that the monthly support funds of Rp 150,000 (about US$17) and Rp 250,000 that would be paid by the city administration to the heads of neighborhood and community units respectively, were not salaries.

He said that so far the activities of these units had been financed by their residents.

"Thus, the funds are intended to cover the cost of carrying out activities and providing facilities, such as paper, pens and other office essentials," he said on Monday as reported by Antara.

"It's not right that the residents themselves have to pay for these," Sutiyoso added.

As for control over the use of the funds, he said that the city administration would leave this up to local communities.--JP