Rp 17b allocated for general election

JAKARTA (JP): The city administration is to set aside Rp 17 billion from its 1999/2000 budget to help finance the June 7 elections in the capital, according to documents released on Tuesday.

The document, giving additional information on the 1999/2000 city draft budget, signed by acting city secretary Fauzie Alvi Yasin, said that Rp 10 billion of the funds would be used to finance the implementation of the elections and the remaining Rp 7 billion for the deployment of civilian defense forces during the elections.

The document, a copy of which was given to The Jakarta Post, did not give further details of how the money would be spent.

Lukman Mokoginta, the head of the Indonesian Democratic Party faction in the city council, told the Post that, in the past, it was common for the administration to set aside funds during the general election to help political parties produce publicity material, such as party signboards, and other things.

"I also agree with the funds being allocated for the deployment of civilian defense members to enable them to buy new uniforms or other necessities to safeguard the election," he said.

The government announced on Thursday that 48 political parties had passed the Team of Eleven's screening and were qualified to contest the elections.

Lukman said he expected part of the funds would be used to finance the placement of political banners along the city's main thoroughfares.

Governor Sutiyoso said on Wednesday that parties eligible for the election were forbidden from placing their political banners along main streets in the city without official authorization.

"The city administration will be responsible for organizing them so that they won't affect the city's beauty," he said. (ind)