Religious ministry requests more money

Religious ministry requests more money

JAKARTA: The Ministry of Religious Affairs has requested an
additional Rp 350 billion (about US$34.14 million) for its budget
this year to help finance programs aimed at improving relations
between religious groups.

Ministry secretary-general Faisal Ismail disclosed the
proposal during a meeting on Thursday with House of
Representatives Commission VIII on religious affairs.

When tension between religious groups broke out recently, the
ministry initially estimated it would need an additional Rp 1.56
trillion for the programs, but lowered the amount after
considering the limited financial capacity of the government.

The ministry has already been allocated Rp 6.9 trillion from
the 2005 state budget. -- Detik.com