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.