KPU member gives up car
Moch. N. Kurniawan and Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Bandung
General Elections Commission (KPU) member Anas Urbaningrum returned on Friday his newly bought official car to the commission, after public outrage.
"I consulted my colleagues and they let me take my own stance on this controversial issue," Anas told a press conference.
He said he would not use any official car from KPU.
Other KPU members seemed reluctant to follow suit, however.
KPU deputy chairman Ramlan Surbakti and member Chusnul Mar'iyah said they did not see the necessity of returning their official cars, saying they did not receive the vehicles through corruption.
"This car is not a result of corruption and it is given based on proper procedures," Ramlan said.
Chusnul added: "We have been working very hard 24 hours a day, I think we deserve the car. Besides, these cars are used for high-ranking state officials."
KPU has allotted Rp 350 million (US$41,600) for an official car for each of the nine KPU members, the secretary-general and the deputy secretary-general and allowed them to choose their favorite model.
A number of activists criticized the KPU members as each of them had already received a Toyota Soluna sedan as their official car, which costs around Rp 150 million each.
Criticism was also rife when the commission members went abroad to disseminate information on the elections to around two millions Indonesians voters living overseas.
They have also asked for a monthly salary increase from Rp 12 million to Rp 18 million.
At about the same time, KPU canceled its plan to increase the allowance for the Village Elections Committee (PPS) and Working Committee for Elections (KPPS) from Rp 50,000 to Rp 100,000 for the chairman and Rp 40,000 to Rp 80,000 for the members.
The commission has complained about a lack of funds to prepare and run the legislative and direct presidential elections this year.
Chairman of the West Java Provincial Elections Commission (KPUD) Setia Permana joined the chorus of criticism against the official cars, which he said was ironic as many provincial commissions were crying out for more financial assistance.
He said his office only received Rp 8.5 billion from an estimated required Rp 93.5 billion.
"Luxury cars should not be allowed as many KPUDs are still struggling to find more money to prepare and organize the elections," Permana said.
Most members of regental and municipal election commissions across the province share official cars, he said.