KPK: KJP Fund Disbursement is Okay
Reported by Erna Martiyanti | Translated by Isa Efriadi
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) pleased Jakarta Provincial Government to disburse Jakarta Smart Card (KJP) fund. The KJP fund distribution for thousands of elementary to senior high school students is assessed by KPK does not have political context, as worried in this political year. In Jakarta, social aid and grant funds reach Rp 1.2 trillion.
The point is that KPK does not forbid social aid and grant funds being disbursed. If the funds were used for appropriate things, it should be okay
As known, KPK has released an appeal to all regional governments in Indonesia not to disburse social aid and grant funds while the 2014 General Election lasts. The funds are worried being misused.
KJP Fund Disbursed ImmediatelyKPK spokesperson, Johan Budi, said that KPK only release appeal, not prohibiting social aid and grant funds disbursement. But if the funds were used for appropriate things, it does not matter. “The point is that KPK does not forbid social aid and grant funds being disbursed. If the funds were used for appropriate things, it should be okay,” he stated, Thursday (5/22).
According to Budi, KJP fund relates to education, thus it is okay to be disbursed. Besides, in its appeal, KPK has told that social aid and grant funds disbursement is allowed for trusted activities. “KPK appeal relates to the disbursement of social aid and grant funds which must be prudent. KPK never release prohibition letter on social aid and grant funds disbursement,” he asserted.
Head of Jakarta Educational Department, Lasro Marbun, confirmed that KJP fund is still not disbursed until this second trimester because it awaits for the agreement that the fund is truly allowed to be distributed to students. “As long as there is no agreement which becomes the basis from the authorities, we’ll be waiting,” he told.
According to Marbun, KJP fund is not disbursed is form of Jakarta Provincial Government’s commitment to KPK’s appeal. Moreover, Jakarta Governor Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo is also running for president in upcoming presidential election. “Our governor becomes a president candidate, he is the holder of regional finance. So, it is a form of Jakarta Provincial Government’s commitment to make the democracy party runs smooth, since KJP fund is included in social aid and grant funds category. Besides, the money is already available. It could be disbursed in July at the longest,” he uttered.
For information, this year in Jakarta there are 611,000 candidates of students from elementary school (SD) until senior high school (SMA) level to receive KJP fund from elementary school until senior high school. This amount increases largely compared to last year’s KJP fund recipients of 403,808 students.
From those 611,000 students of KJP fund candidate recipients, 399,000 of them are last year’s KJP fund recipients, 184,000 are candidates proposed to receive KJP fund, and 27,000 are candidates proposed by the societies. According to the plan, KJP fund this year will not be directly transferred to the students’ accounts. Instead, the bank will transfer the money to the students’ accounts after getting monthly recommendation from the schools.
