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