Rent scandal hits governor

SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: Legislators said yesterday that they would look into reports that the local administration is providing Rp 10 million per month to the governor to rent his own house.

Legislator Ardiansyah Masrie said that such an expenditure was never mentioned in the provincial budget and thus the provincial council intends to check into the matter with the local administration.

"We will bring this matter forward with the administration in the very near future to see whether it is in accordance with the rules," he said as quoted by Antara.

The issue of the rent disbursement came about when it was reported that the official residence of Governor HM Ardans had to be renovated.

The governor then reportedly took up residence in a house rented by the administration at a cost of Rp 10 million per month.

Ardiansyah questioned the whole motive behind the rent issue especially since the house currently being rented is owned by Ardans himself.

He said the legislature here knew nothing about the affair and were surprised at the "large" amount being paid, "particularly when you consider that it is the governor's own private residence that's being rented".

"If the administration cannot provide a suitable explanation then they should promptly return the money," said the United Development Party legislator.