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