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)