Subdistrict councils cost Rp1.5b a month

JAKARTA (JP): The city administration will have to spend at least Rp 1.5 billion (US$160,000) every month when subdistrict councils make their debut in February.

Head of the City Subdistricts Administration Office Kusnan said on Tuesday most of the funds would be used to pay monthly salaries of 2,646 subdistrict council members across the city.

Kusnan said each subdistrict council member, representing a community in a subdistrict, would receive Rp 500,000 per month in "honorary remuneration". The city administration will also provide each council Rp 200,000 monthly for transportation allowances to be shared among council members.

There are 265 subdistricts across the city.

A subdistrict council will also receive Rp 500,000 per month for its meeting expenses.

"The funds to finance the operational costs of subdistrict councils will be taken from the 2001 city budget under a special item," Kusnan said.

City Bylaw No. 5/2000 stipulates that a subdistrict council, whose members are elected for five-year terms, serves as a bridge between people and the local administration.

"People are able to channel their aspirations to the city authorities through the council, and in return, the council is obliged to inform and promote new city policies and regulations to the people," Kusnan said.

Many observers, including former director general of regional autonomy Ryaas Rasyid, have suggested that subdistrict council replace the current Community Resilience Institution (LKMD).

According to the bylaw, election of subdistrict council members is conducted in two stages.

A candidate must win the most votes in the first election held at the neighborhood unit (RT) level. And the election must be attended by at least two thirds of the neighborhood unit.

The second round is held by the community unit (RW), featuring first stage winners who vie for a place in the subdistrict council.

Deputy Governor for Government Affairs Abdul Kahfi has said that all subdistricts across the city should have formed their councils by the end of this month.

Contacted separately, spokesman for the city administration Muhayat said on Tuesday the timeframe would be flexible, advising that the gubernatorial decree stipulating the election procedures had only been issued on Jan. 19.

When asked about some community units which had already chosen their representatives for the second round of the election before the decree was issued, Muhayat said the city authorities had ordered those elections be repeated. (04)