W. Java Council jet-setters

W. Java Council jet-setters

BANDUNG: Despite various financial problems, there always
seems to be just enough money for councillors to conduct a
"comparative study" tour abroad.

The latest example is West Java council's plan for councillors
to visit five countries in the near future.

Traveling expenses allocated from the provincial budget for
such a venture is set at Rp 1.3 billion (US$118,181).

The visit, expected to be held starting the end of this month
until the end of June, will include Australia, China, Hong Kong,
Malaysia and the United Kingdom.

Deputy council speaker Suyaman said on Thursday that the first
group of councillors, led by Speaker Eka Santosa, will visit
Australia for five days, to examine cooperation opportunities.

Suyaman, however, was quick to add that the Australian
government was also forking out for the trip by paying for the
tickets and accommodation for two of the eight or more
councillors on the trip.

The second group will go to China and Hong Kong to explore
economic cooperation, and the third group will visit Malaysia to
conduct a comparative study on education and labor issues.

The last group will visit England to learn more about
government structure. (25)