Sutiyoso proposes budget increase

Sutiyoso proposes budget increase

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso said on Monday that his
administration planned to increase the 2002 city budget to Rp 8.9
trillion this year, or an almost 10 percent increase on last
year's Rp 8.1 trillion.

The draft city budget, which is usually presented and approved
before the end of each year, was officially presented by the
governor to the council on Monday.

Sutiyoso told the City Council that some Rp 5.61 trillion in
the 2002 budget would be allocated for routine expenditure, while
the remaining Rp 3.29 trillion would be for 2002 development
expenses.

The 2002 routine costs rose slightly, by 2.67 percent compared
with 2001's Rp 5.50 trillion. Proposed expenditure on
development, however, jumped significantly, by 31.22 percent from
last year's.

"Due to slower implementation of the 2002 city budget, we hope
it can be approved (by the City Council) by the end of January,"
Sutiyoso said.

The administration attributed the hefty increase in
development expenses to its programs for reinvigorating the
ailing economy amid the prolonged impact of the economic crisis.

"Programs for the benefit of the public will account for 61
percent of total development expenditure, while the remaining 39
percent will go on agency expenditure," the administration said
in its statement.

In the 2002 budget, the administration has allocated Rp 520.9
billion for education and Rp 336.9 billion for health and social
welfare.

The education funds would be used to finance the development
of elementary and secondary schools as well as other educational
programs, it said, without further elaborating.

Three issues under the spotlight are transportation, water and
waste.

The administration will provide Rp 415.36 billion to improve
public transportation infrastructure amid mounting complaints
about the poor condition of public transportation vehicles.

The administration also allocated Rp 294.70 billion, a 29
percent increase on last year's expenditure, to maintain water
resources and control flooding in the capital.

Some Rp 233.56 billion funds will be allocated for improving
the city's environment and on the urban design sector, including
handling the city's trash amid the imminent closure of Jakarta's
main garbage dumpsite at Bantar Gebang by the Bekasi mayoralty
due to environmental problems.

To finance security and public order, the administration plans
to spend Rp 63.55 billion.