Lawmakers get Rp 20m for uniforms

Lawmakers get Rp 20m for uniforms

Rusman, Samarinda, East Kalimantan

The East Kalimantan Provincial legislature has allocated itself
the staggering amount of more than Rp 1 billion (US$105,263) for
the 45 councillors' uniforms this year, according to government
statistics obtained by The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.

According to the 2004 provincial budget data, each councillor
was allotted Rp 20 (US$2,105) million each for three sets of
official uniforms and another Rp 2.5 million each for sport
shirts.

The councillors also received the same amount last year, but
it was not clear, however, what the budget was for the years 1999
to 2002. The councillors began their five-year term in 1999.

The amount of money allocated for official uniforms is
considered extravagant, considering that they normally cost
between Rp 600,000 to Rp 2 million each. Rp 2 million was the
most expensive, said an employee at a garment company in
Samarinda.

For the uniform allotment, therefore the councillors should
have been only allocated a maximum of Rp 6 million.

Deputy speaker of East Kalimantan provincial council Kasyful
Anwar As'ad confirmed that the allocation was more than Rp 1
billion this year.

However, he dismissed allegations that the amount was
extravagant.

The councillors were allowed to spend the money needed to buy
the official uniforms with a ceiling price of Rp 20 million, but
any leftover balances had to be returned to the state. "We have
set a high ceiling, so that it is not necessary for councillors
to ask for more money if the price of shirts skyrockets,"
explained Kasyful.

But, a councillor who requested anonymity said that he only
received Rp 10 million each year in cash.

"Actually, I was given an alternative; to be given cash and
get the official uniform myself, or let them do it all. I chose
the first, because it gave me the freedom to choose my preferred
tailor," he said.

An activist from a group that monitors corruption was
skeptical that the councillors would be wiling to return the
leftover cash to the state. "In most cases, the councillors never
returned any money," said Achmad Basori, the executive director
at Care State Asset, a non-governmental organization (NGO) in
East Kalimantan province.

The similar extravagant budget for official uniforms can be
found in other provinces nationwide, despite the fact that tens
of millions of people still live in poverty. In West Java
province, for example, the provincial administration has
allocated Rp 500 million (US$55,555) for official uniforms for
its 100 new members, although the new West Java legislative
council has not yet been installed. It will be installed at the
end of this year.