Sutiyoso wants city to fund soccer team

Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta

Governor Sutiyoso has proposed the allocation of Rp 21 billion (US$2.33 million) from the 2005 city budget, some of which will be used to help the city-owned Persija soccer team.

His proposal, however, was immediately questioned by city councillors who argued that the administration had not provided a breakdown of how the fund would be spent.

The governor's proposal came just two days after the administration revealed its 13 priority programs in next year's budget which include the construction of a busway corridor from Pulo Gebang in East Jakarta to Kalideres, West Jakarta, the construction of the 23-kilometer long East Flood Canal and the building of garbage incineration plants.

Councillors and officials of the administration have been deliberating the Rp 13.93 trillion budget. It is expected to be approved on Dec. 31.

Sutiyoso, patron of Persija and incumbent chairman of the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI), argued that the club needed full support so it could perform better in both national and international tournaments.

"Jakarta, as the country's capital, must have a strong soccer team and I think Persija deserves financial assistance," he said, without elaborating on how the money would help the club's performance.

The fund would also be used to help social institutions such as the Indonesian Red Cross, private hospitals and non- governmental organizations.

Councillor Sahrianta Tarigan of the Prosperous Peace Party (PDS) faction said the budget could not be accepted as the figure was higher than what the city had allocated to assist the nine political parties on the City Council.

"The administration has only allocated Rp 15 billion for nine parties representing some five million voters," he argued.

Meanwhile, councillor Dani Anwar of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) faction stressed the councillors support for the administration's plan to allocate Rp 600 billion (not Rp 400 billion as mentioned in the city development plant) for its garbage treatment facility.

"But we cannot focus on the incineration plants. We must be open to other possibilities," he said.

The council had earlier warned the administration to learn from its failure in its earlier incineration program in 21 subdistricts.

As for the proposal to provide cars for councillors, the council has suspended the deliberation of the draft bylaw as it has sparked public controversy.

PKS and the Democratic Party factions -- the two largest parties in the council -- will only agree to the provision pending the approval of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Government Regulation No. 24/2004 on protocol and financial status of the regional council leaders and members does not clearly stipulate the provision of cars for councillors. The regulation only specifies facilities such as health insurance, housing and clothes.

Councillor Johny Wenas Polii of the Democratic Party faction said his faction would not accept the facility as it was deemed risky without a clear legal basis.