Samarinda polls to cost Rp 13b

SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: Funds worth a total of Rp 13 billion (US$1.4 million) have been approved for the direct mayoral elections in Samarinda next year, an official says.

Part of the Rp 13 billion fund will be earmarked to pay the salaries of five members of the Samarinda General Election Commission (KPUD). Each member, who will work for period of one year, will be paid Rp 4 million a month.

The funds were approved by the KPUD, Samarinda municipal administration and councillors, Ali Fitri Noor, the city's chief of finance said. -- JP