Megawati donates Rp 30 billion to military, police for housing projects
Annastashya Emmanuelle, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
President Megawati Soekarnoputri donated Rp 30 billion to the security forces on Monday to improve the sorry housing conditions of low-ranking security personnel and bluntly told Indonesia's top brass "not to corrupt the money."
She also urged military and police generals to pay closer attention to the living conditions of their colleagues.
"Don't corrupt the aid funds, and prioritize what's urgent," Megawati repeatedly told military and police generals during a tour of a number of military and police housing complex of Artillery Battalion for Airspace Defense SE-10/Jaya Bintaro in South Jakarta, the Air Force's Jatayu I soldier barracks and housing in Halim Perdanakusuma, East Jakarta, Marine Battalion of Lantamal II housing complex in Sunter, North Jakarta and the Police's Mobile Brigade (Brimob) dormitory in Central Jakarta.
Megawati was accompanied by husband Taufik Kiemas, Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Adm. Widodo A.S., National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar and all three military chief of staffs.
The visit was made just days before President Megawati is expected to submit the names of candidates for the new TNI chief to the House of Representatives (DPR).
The donation, transferred to TNI commander Adm. Widodo A.S., will be shared equally among the four security forces of the Army, Navy, Air Force and National Police.
"High-ranking officers should assist lower-ranking personnel and their families," Megawati said after visiting a Navy housing complex in Sunter, North Jakarta.
She said that the welfare of the servicemen must not be overlooked as it would affect their performance in the field.
"The spirit of the corps must be maintained in order to restore Indonesia's triumphant days."
Megawati also instructed Minister of Resettlement and Regional Infrastructure Soenarno to explore the possibility of building low-cost apartments for the servicemen to replace the lamentable houses in which the officers lived with their families.
There are currently 8,018 people living at the Navy housing complex in North Jakarta, much higher than its capacity of 5,063. The houses were built around 40 years ago, and not all houses are permanent constructions.
During the recent floods, the houses were inundated by water 1.5 meters deep. Some of the residents are still drying their furniture.
The Army housing complex, which was built in 1963, is in desperate need of repair.
At the Police Mobile Brigade (Brimob) housing area, Megawati explored the narrow aisles between the ragged houses, and inspected the public toilets used by residents.
The president shuddered when she learned that there were only eight public toilets. The buildings, flooded during the recent torrential rain, have become fragile.