Basuki Rejected DPRD Members’ Plan for Work Visit to US

In the midst of the 2014 City Budget Amendment (APBDP) discussion, some members of Jakarta Parliament (DPRD) are planning for work visit to the United States. Knowing such plan, Acting Jakarta Governor directly rejected the proposal. Although the visit is related to Sister City cooperation, he assessed that it is unclear and not bring any benefit for Jakarta.

They are currently proposing for work visit to the United States. There are several people (DPRD members). They are already about to step down, why would they go to America?

“They are currently proposing for work visit to the United States. There are several people (DPRD members). They are already about to step down, why would they go to America?” said Basuki, Tuesday (7/1).

Basuki admitted that he is reluctant to grant the request due to worry of oblique views. He is also reluctant to reveal which fractions that proposed for work visit.

Council to Ratify Local Budget Amendment in July

“The work visit related to Sister City, there are some fractions. All (members) joined. If I granted it, there would be question why leave? Acting governor who told to leave, using our money. The post (budget) is run out, I said no,” he asserted.

Since he rejected the plan, Basuki does not know whether it would affect on the discussion of APBDP or not.

“Maybe (it would affect), let’s just wait. That’s why I said Wallahu’alam (only Allah knows everything), whether my rejection would be problem or not,” he expressed.

When beritajakarta.com contacted some of DPRD members through cell phone, no one responded, including PDIP Fraction Deputy Chairman who replied through short message.

“I don’t know, Sir,” he texted.

Meanwhile, DPRD Chairman, Ferrial Sofyan, previously said that APBDP discussion must be accelerated because there are only 4.5 months left before book closing.

“We have received the 2014 Public Policy Priorities and Temporary Budget Ceiling (KUA-PPAS) two days ago. Internal discussion has been done and must be accelerated, so the ratification can be done in the end of July,” he stated, Friday (6/27).

According to Sofyan, Jakarta Provincial Government has 4.5 months after the 2014 APBDP ratified. That amount of time is divided to two, namely 1.5 months for goods and services auction procurement process and 3 months to carry out the physical wok of activities which have been auctioned.

After the internal discussion, DPRD will summon Jakarta Regional Development Planning Board (Bappeda) to give special explanation on the 2014 KUA-PPAS Amendment. The meeting will run simultaneously with the drafting of the 2014 APBDP.

“So, next week we would probably summon Jakarta Bappeda to explain about KUA-PPAS to us. The discussion will run simultaneously with the drafting of the 2014 APBDP,” he uttered.