Subdistricts lack office rent funds

TANGERANG (JP): At least 13 subdistricts in Cipondoh district here are short of funds to extend their office rentals and could face eviction, an official said on Tuesday.

Head of Kenanga subdistrict Suryadi warned evictions would disrupt services to local residents.

He said the offices were part of the 21 subdistricts in the district.

The 13 are relatively new because they were formed from the expansion of eight former subdistricts, he said, adding this accounted for the lack of their own permanent facilities.

"I have no plan to rent another house for the subdistrict office, even though the existing one will expire by the end of this month," Suryadi said. He added rent varied from Rp 2 million to Rp 5 million per annum.

Head of Cipondoh district Harry Mulya Zein admitted most of the leases for the 13 subdistrict offices expired between April and May.

Harry explained rental funds were formerly provided by the Tangerang mayoralty, and additional fund allocations were needed for the subdistricts.

Subdistricts whose leases end soon are Poris Pelawat Utara, Poris Pelawat Indah, Cipondoh Makmur, Cipondoh Indah, Kenanga, Ketapang, Noroktok, Sudimara Pinang, Kunciran Jaya, Kunciran Injah, Panunggangan Timur, Panunggangan Utara and Kakojan.

Head of the Tangerang mayoralty's administrative affairs, A. Rosid, said funds for the subdistricts' office rental had been proposed to the mayor, M.H. Thamrin.

"We will check on the owners of the houses rented for the subdistrict offices. We will pay the rental fees," Rosid said.

He said the mayoralty would build two subdistrict offices to be financed in the mayoralty's 1999/2000 budget, but gave no further details. (41/jun)