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.