Making a sacrifices for school upkeep

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.