Rp 251b allocated for postflood works

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The Jakarta administration decided on Tuesday to allocate Rp 251 billion (US$25.1 million) for postflood rehabilitation programs, ambitiously planning to repair all the damage within two months.

"I hope the programs can be completed in one or two months," Governor Sutiyoso told reporters after meeting with the city's five mayors and other officials.

Sutiyoso revealed that the Rp 251 billion would be taken from the 2002 city budget, saying the administration would use its emergency fund of Rp 506 billion if the regular budget was not enough to cover the repair work.

The amount of Rp 251 billion was decided upon based on proposals from the city's five mayoralties and the city agencies.

West Jakarta municipality, which earlier proposed Rp 60 billion for postflood programs, has been allotted Rp 33 billion. In an earlier proposal, Rp 400 million was to be used to repair the mayor's official residence.

The proposal to repair Mayor Sarimun Hadisaputro's house, which was not damaged by the floods, was dropped after public outcry.

The South Jakarta municipality will receive Rp 35 billion, Central Jakarta Rp 21 billion, East Jakarta Rp 41 billion, North Jakarta Rp 29.7 billion and city agencies Rp 91 billion.

The city administration announced earlier that it would not help repair flood-hit houses of some 50,000 squatters living along the city's riverbanks.

The administration earlier disbursed Rp 50 million each to 167 subdistricts hit by the floods. Some of the fund, which was disbursed through subdistrict councils (Dekel), was reportedly misused and could not be properly accounted for.

In an effort to secure more funds for flood victims, the administration plans to hold a charity night on Friday at the Hailai restaurant, Ancol, North Jakarta.

"Actually, we have enough funds for the flood victims. We are staging the charity night for rich residents who want to help the victims," acting city spokesman Margani said.