PKS councillors to return severance pay

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

All four councillors of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) faction will return the severance pay that is distributed at the end of councillors' five-year terms.

Party leader for Jakarta Ahmad Heriyawan, said the decision was based on a circular issued by PKS' central board that prohibited its members from receiving taxpayers' money.

"It has become policy, so we are acting according to orders," Heriyawan said at the City Council on Wednesday.

Each city councillor is entitled to severance pay of Rp 25 million. The city administration has earmarked Rp 2.1 billion of the city budget for the severance pay of 84 councillors.

Heriyawan said PKS councillors would not take the opportunity to own the official sedans they had used while in office.

"When our terms end, of course, we must return them," he said.

Aside from PKS, councillors of other factions are apparently looking forward to their severance pay, even if some jokingly call it "meager."

Several other councillors also expressed their willingness to own official sedans by "purchasing" them at a lower price than their market value.

According to the calculations of Fitra, a non-governmental organization dealing with budget accountability, each councillor receives a total net income of Rp 1.7 billion during their five- year term.

PKS secured 18 seats out of 75 seats in the City Council after their party garnered the largest number of votes in Jakarta in the April 5 election.