Tangerang budget hike approved

TANGERANG (JP): Tangerang City Council approved last week a 15 percent increase in the city's 2001 budget from a proposed Rp 217 billion (US$25.53 million) to Rp 261 billion.

The increase was smaller than the 19.25 percent proposed by the municipal administration on Aug. 21.

Tangerang Mayor H.M. Thamrin said that his administration proposed the increase after considering the uncertain factors facing the city, and potential sources that could be tapped to fund the budget.

Council spokesman Gian Sugiarsono, who chaired the plenary meeting on the budget increase, said the budget's routine expenses increased by Rp 33 billion, up from Rp 176.5 billion to Rp 209.5 billion.

The chairman of the National Development Party faction, Sanny Mahmoed, stated that higher increases in development expenses rather than routine expenses indicated that the administration was serious about improving its services to the public.

Meanwhile, chairman of the Golkar Party faction, M.A. Chosim emphasized that the administration should improve its services, particularly those concerning education and general public needs.

The chairman of the Madani faction, Waisulkorni Mufti, suggested that Mayor Thamrin improve the supervision of the budget so that it can be spent in ways most beneficial to the public. (41)