Students protest recess funds

MEDAN, North Sumatra: Dozens of students demonstrated here on Tuesday to demand North Sumatra councillors return recess funds allocated to them.

The funds, worth Rp 25 million per councillor (US$2,777), are disbursed quarterly to help councillors pay for trips to their constituencies.

The demonstrators said the 84 councillors did not deserve the funds because the visits were part of their job, adding that the councillors should be expected to pay for the trips with their own money.

Councillor Syukran Tanjung defended the funds, which he said the councillors needed. He said he spent Rp 50 million each quarter visiting and entertaining his constituents. -- JP