Legislature rejects car buying plan

MALANG, East Java: Councillors in Malang regency have rejected a plan to buy new cars for 33 district chiefs.

A councillor from the Golkar faction, Rendra Kresna, said on Wednesday that Regent Sujud Pribadi had proposed allocating Rp 4.9 billion (US$597,500) from the revision of the 2003 regional budget to purchase cars to help the subdistrict chiefs make the 2004 election a success.

Each subdistrict chief drives a 1996 Isuzu Panther minivan.

Rendra said the legislature recommended that the regents focus on more urgent programs, including reconstructing the roads and bridges that connect the subdistricts across the regency.

"The proposal is unrealistic because the current cars are still in good condition. There are many other programs we need to focus on," he said.

Another councillor, Bibit Soeprapto of the National Awakening Party, said the regent should place a priority on the education sector, including renovating elementary schools. -- Antara