Governor and

Governor and the council

From Warta Kota

In the last few weeks, I have carefully followed reports about "the benefits" that Governor Sutiyoso and members of the Jakarta City Council enjoy. Sutiyoso has even promised to give up all of the facilities he enjoys. Hopefully this was a sincere promise and not an empty one made simply to increase his popularity in the media.

Of course, his promise received a response, as this paper has reported, from Jakarta residents. They proposed that the billions of rupiah originally allocated for the governor's facilities be used for the purchase of daily necessities for the poor.

Of course, as governor, Sutiyoso requires facilities. What matters is whether or not his facilities are proper and within the tolerable limit. He needs those facilities that will help him in his job as governor, but of course his daily needs, such as kitchen utensils and other household equipment, should not be paid for with the people's money. Certainly, he can afford these things with his salary.

Another thing that causes concern is the behavior of the Jakarta councillors. When they discussed the draft budget in Ciloto, locals protested because there were too many councillors attending the discussions, so that their vehicles caused a traffic jam in the Puncak area. Regarding the budget, even Sutiyoso has asked them to listen to their conscience. However, the deputy speaker of Jakarta's legislative council, Chudlary Syafi'i Hadzami, responded to this appeal angrily.

It seems that the councillors will fight to the last drop of blood when it comes to money, the budget and so forth. Whether what they have done benefits the people remains a big question mark.

SALIM SURYA Jakarta