KPU denies huge budget for housing

JAKARTA: The General Elections Commission (KPU) denied on Thursday an allegation made by a non-government organization that KPU had allocated funds totaling Rp 649 billion (US$76.3 million) to the construction of houses for its members.

KPU member Valina Sinka Subekti said the commission had allocated only Rp 12 billion for the construction of 13, 250- square-metre-houses.

"The funds are allocated in accordance with standards set by the Ministry of Resettlement and Regional Infrastructure," she said.

The Center of Regional Development Studies (PSPK) earlier criticized KPU's poor performance, including KPU's intention to build houses for its members worth Rp 649 billion.

Meanwhile, another KPU member, Anas Urbaningrum, said KPU had been looking for the best location to build the houses.

Locations the commission has been considering include, Jl. Margasatwa and Jl. Wijaya in South Jakarta. --JP