Making a sacrifices for school upkeep
Slamet Susanto, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta
If you need cash urgently, the quickest way to obtain it is to go to a pawnshop.
In a similar but unique fashion, the regent of Kebumen, Central Java, Rustriningsih, 38, and her deputy, KH M Nashiruddin al Mansyur, have pledged the decrees on their appointments as regent and deputy regent, which they received on July 18, to the Central Java Regional Development Bank (BPD Jateng) as collateral for a Rp 100 million loan.
The two leaders of Kebumen regency need the money to repair five state elementary schools that have either collapsed or are on the verge of collapse.
"As some of these buildings have collapsed the children's learning hours have been much reduced. Unless the buildings are repaired immediately, the children cannot study properly," Rustriningsih said when met at her official residence.
In fact, she said, funds for the repair of the five school buildings, amounting to Rp 155 million, were available from the regency's budget allocated for the Task Force for the Management of Natural Disasters and Refugees. Unfortunately, she added, police had confiscated some Rp 95 million of this money because of graft allegations.
"As of now we still do not know the identity of the graft suspects. Why has the money been confiscated at the expense of the children's education? I am sure the school principals will not run away," she said.
Reportedly, these five school principals have asked the police whether they can release the money so it can be used for school repairs, but the police have replied that the money will not be released until the legal process is completed.
"Even now we do not know who the suspects are. There will be an investigation, the case will be transferred to the prosecutor, then court proceedings, appeals and so forth. The whole legal process will be extremely long. The point is, where can these children study properly?" she said.
Rustriningsih also said the five school principals had complained about the matter to the Kebumen legislative assembly, but it had passed the buck, saying it was the business of the executive branch. Instead of helping to find a solution, regional legislative assembly members refused to get involved.
"I am involved in an ironic situation because in the direct regency election, I collected 77.48 percent of the vote. Unfortunately, I am helpless in the face of an uncertain legal process and an indifferent regional legislative assembly," she said.
That is why Rustriningsih and her deputy decided to pledge the decrees on their appointment to obtain a loan for the repair of the schools.
The pair earn a total of Rp 11 million per month and will have to make monthly installments of Rp 9.12 million to repay the loan. "I earn Rp 6 million a month and have to pay Rp 4.6 million on the monthly installments. Never mind, my husband has his salary, right?" said Rustriningsih, who is six months pregnant.
Asked whether she was simply seeking publicity, she said the money was urgently needed to repair the schools and pledging the decrees was the quickest way to get a loan.
"I pledged my other certificates for my campaign funds," she said with a laughing.
Of course, when the legal process is completed and the confiscated funds returned, the schools will have to repay Rustriningsih and her deputy.
"If the confiscated money cannot be returned, it will be our tough luck," she said.