Officials' visit overseas queried

Officials' visit overseas queried

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Councillors representing the Indonesia Military (TNI)/National Police faction at the provincial legislature have requested an investigation into the use of Rp 2 billion in state funds allocated for the poor for an overseas visit by local officials to Europe recently.

The fund, taken from state funds allotted for a crash program to improve the economy of poor people here, was reportedly used to finance a trip led by former deputy governor J.R.G. Djopari. The overseas trip was said to be for the purpose of raising funds for Irianese.

"Such a trip is of no benefit to the people. We ask Governor Jaap P. Solossa to account for the use of the fund," TNI/Police faction member Paulus Lugiman told Antara on Sunday.

Under the crash program, Jakarta has earmarked Rp 2 billion for each of 14 regencies and municipalities in the province.

Only Merauke and Jayapura have used the fund properly, while other regencies disbursed it to build infrastructure, buy vehicles and computers and finance officials' tickets to Jakarta and abroad. (bby)