Subdistrict councils cost Rp1.5b a month

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)