Govt to pay for councillors' housing

Govt to pay for councillors' housing

TANGERANG: Mayor Wahidin Halim said on Thursday the local
administration would allot Rp 900 million (US$97,826) in the 2005
budget to provide housing allowances for its 45 councillors.

"The house rent in this area is relatively expensive," he was
quoted as saying by Antara.

Wahidin added that the allowance was in accordance with
Government Regulation No. 24/2003 on regional councils.

Tangerang Government Watch chairman Toni Wismantoro, however,
objected to the idea, as "most councillors live in their own
homes".

"Such a great amount of money is enough to build a school," he
added.

The councillors have decided not to move into the exclusive
Bumi Berhias housing complex, as the houses were left badly
damaged by the 1999-2004 councillors. -- JP