N. Sumatra 'forced' to sell official cars at cheap prices

Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan, North Sumatra

North Sumatra councillors and government officials who have refused to return their official vehicles have been given an ultimatum: Buy them for next to nothing.

The provincial administration says it has offered at least 162 cars and 56 motorbikes to their 'owners' at cheap prices.

Among those on offer are luxury cars still used by leaders of the North Sumatra legislative council, including chairpersons of its commissions and factions.

Based on the pricing list of the cars obtained by The Jakarta Post, a 1993 Mercedes Benz sedan has been offered to its user, former North Sumatra governor Raja Inal Siregar, for only Rp 31.6 million. The car is still valued at more than Rp 100 million.

Meanwhile, a 1993 Toyota Crown sedan has been offered to former deputy governor Pieter Sibarani for only Rp 13.5 million.

A Land Rover jeep made in 1970 was offered for only Rp 648,000, and a 1995 Kijang van for Rp 17 million. Dozens of Toyota Kijangs produced in 1992 and 1993 are offered for between Rp 8 million and Rp 10 million, and the price of a 1981 Mitsubishi minibus is only Rp 2.5 million.

Mangasi Mungkur, head of the province's procurement bureau, said on Friday that it had to sell the vehicles because most of the users refused to return them and wanted to buy them.

He said only nine of the 200 vehicles had been returned.

"We are powerless ... because the majority of users insist on claiming ownership," Mangasi said.

He claimed the decision to sell the cars was in compliance with Ministerial Decree No. 11/2001 on asset sales.

Under the decree, officials must return their official vehicles to the administration after relinquishing their positions.

However, almost all senior officials have refused to abide by the regulations.

Asked about the low prices, Mangasi said it was determined on the basis of the physical condition of the respective vehicles.

The planned sales drew fire on Friday from members of the provincial legislative council, who accused the administration of corruption.

Councillor Sigit Asri demanded the vehicles be sold through an open auction so as to involve the public.

"I am sure that if the official cars are auctioned openly, the prices will certainly be much higher and the money can go into the provincial administration's coffers," he said.

The call for an auction was supported by deputy council speaker Serta Ginting, who said he would oppose the cheap sale of the vehicles.

"Although I am one of those offered the chance to buy an official car, I will reject it. I want the sale open to the public," he added.

It was not immediately clear why he had not returned the car in the first place.

North Sumatra legislative council speaker Ahmad Azhari said he and other council leaders would set up a special committee to decide whether the planned sales would go ahead.

Also opposed to the plan was Hanif Ray, a member of the council team responsible for selling council assets.

He said it would be illogical for the administration to sell the vehicles at the lower prices because the vehicles were still in good condition.

The administration spends hundreds of million of rupiah on maintenance for the cars, he said.