Funds siphoned off

Funds siphoned off

From Warta Kota

This paper reported on March 17 that according to E. Rudy Franki Faat, a legislator on Bogor Regency Council, some Rp 400 million intended for the repair of elementary school buildings in Bogor regency had allegedly been siphoned off. Besides, irregularities have also been found in the implementation mechanisms for this project.

It is public knowledge that our educational sector, especially at the elementary school level, is a cause for deep concern, particularly given the present protracted and deteriorating economic crisis.

Thumbs up to the Bogor councillor for his courage in exposing this malfeasance. However, it is also to be expected that the councilors, who earn salaries hundreds of times bigger than their constituents, must follow up on this statement by handing over the evidence to the law enforcers and insisting that the police investigate the matter and interrogate those allegedly involved.

The painful plight that our people are enduring is already too much. Our bureaucracy, made up of bureaucrats groomed by the New Order regime who now, understandably, hold themselves out as ardent supporters of the new regime, have successfully turned the state's bureaucracy into a graft machine. All our hopes are pinned on the legislators. It is up to them to decide whether to side with the people or with the rulers.

BONDAN WIJAYA

Bogor, West Java