No proper debate in soccer subsidy

No proper debate in soccer subsidy

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Several councillors have blown the whistle on a Rp 20 billion
(US$2.22 million) allocation for the Jakarta soccer team
(Persija) in the 2005 city budget.

The councillors say the allocation is double the amount
approved at the commission level.

A member of the City Council's Commission A for legal and
administrative affairs, Rois Hadayana Syaudie, said on Monday the
commission only approved a Rp 10 billion subsidy for Persija.

"What I know is that the commission approved Rp 10 billion for
the soccer team. It was without the knowledge of the commission
that the final allocation was increased to Rp 20 billion," said
Rois.

The city budget was endorsed by all of the City Council's 75
members representing seven factions.

In the draft budget, the city administration allocated Rp 21
billion for the team, but councillors objected to that figure and
believed that they convinced the administration to cut the
allocation to Rp 10 billion.

Commission A chairman Achmad Suaidy confirmed the Rp 20
billion subsidy for Persija, saying a decision on the issue was
made by council leaders with his knowledge.

Suaidy said he accepted the explanation of council leaders
that Persija required the money to improve its performance on the
pitch.

He said some of the money was needed to hire foreign coaches
and players.

"I accept their arguments and I agree with the Rp 20 billion
allocation for the soccer team," he said.

However, the chairman of Commission C for financial affairs
and the head of the council's budget team, Daniel Abdullah Sani,
said a commission chairman could not make a decision without the
knowledge of commission members.

"Theoretically, the final decision must be approved by all
commission members. The chairman cannot act on behalf of the
members without their knowledge," he told The Jakarta Post on
Monday.

Rois expressed his disappointment in the matter, saying
debates at the commission level were meaningless because council
leaders could make decisions and changes according to their own
agendas.