Village chiefs deceive wives

KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: A woman activist claims many village chiefs in the province lie to their wives about how funds for Family Welfare Movement (PKK) activities are used.

Mrs. Andi Norma Kaimoeddin, wife of Governor Kaimoeddin, and chief PKK activist in the province, blamed local village chiefs for many of the glitches in PKK programs, reported Antara.

"I often find village chiefs have (lied). This is why PKK programs don't go as planned," she said.

Family Welfare Movement is an internationally-recognized neighborhood-based group providing informal activities. Programs are usually managed by the wives of officials, from governors to village chiefs.

Kaimoeddin said villages are given an annual government subsidy of Rp 1.5 million (US$638) for PKK programs. "Many village chiefs use the money for other purposes despite the fact that villages already receive a Rp 5 million subsidy annually," she charged. (swe)