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