Ragunan gorillas not out of the woods

Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Controversy over the Rp 3.2 billion (about US$300,000) fund that has been allocated for the care of four male gorillas from England continued on Friday with Governor Sutiyoso's statement that the fund is only to used for the maintenance of the animals' enclosure, and not for their meals.

"We did not approve the Rp 3.2 billion for the gorillas' food. The money is for the enclosure maintenance, renovation and everything (related to the enclosure)," Sutiyoso said, adding that the request for the fund was made by the Ragunan Zoo management.

Sutiyoso, who appeared a bit upset, said there was no misappropriation in the city budget relating to the fund.

He blamed reporters for causing the confusion among the public, which could make people suspicious about the marking up of the city budget or any misappropriation in the spending of the money.

"That's not true. That (allegations of suspect activities) probably happened because of inaccurate media reports," he told journalists.

The construction on the new gorilla enclosure was completed late last month. It is still brand new, having no other tenants.

The gorillas, which were expected to arrive here last month, and take up residence at their luxurious accommodation, were delayed after their owner, the Howlett and Lympne Animal Park, postponed the transfer due to the unstable security situation in the city.

Sutiyoso's administration had officially said that it had agreed to allocate the Rp 3.2 billion for the gorillas' overall care, including their food.

The city council had also approved the allocation of the funds for the gorillas. But later, some councillors took it back, saying they were forced to agree with the plan.

This year alone, zoo management has received Rp 27.5 billion from the city budget.

For next year, the zoo management recently told the city council they needed Rp 55 billion, including Rp 18.7 billion for a zoo renovation project. The council has not yet approved the request, pending the accountability of the zoo management in the usage of this year's budget.

On Thursday, Willie Smits, director of the Gibbon Foundation, which will provide support for the care of the apes, questioned the reason for the zoo management's proposal for the Rp 3.2 billion from the city budget for the gorillas' care. He asserted that the foundation would cover all expenses for the gorillas.

On the same day, a zoo official seemed to contradict his colleagues when he said the management had never asked for Rp 3.2 billion for the care of the gorillas.

Sutiyoso blamed Smits for not asking for a clarification from the city administration about the matter.

"He (Smits) should have asked us, and not other parties, about the case," Sutiyoso said.