Jakarta Governor Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo expressed his approval on Vice Governor Basuki T Purnama’s plan to withdraw civil servants’ official cars and replace it with transportation allowance. He assesses it will save the city budget (APBD).

Yes, we’re calculating. If using official car, fuel and maintenance costs, such as for spare parts, are quite big. If it (the plan) realized, it will be more efficient and saving budget

“Yes, we’re calculating. If using official car, fuel and maintenance costs, such as for spare parts, are quite big. If it (the plan) realized, it will be more efficient and saving budget,” he stated, Wednesday (8/13).

The plan to withdraw civil servants’ official cars keeps being reviewed. If it was realized, Jakarta Provincial Government could save budget up to Rp 250 billion.

“We’re lucky as well. We calculated that we could save budget up to Rp 250 billion because there is no (budget for cars) maintenance,” uttered Basuki.

For civil servants’ operational, Jakarta Provincial Government will not buy vehicles, but rent them from private party instead.

According to Basuki, the amount of transportation allowance given to the civil servants is varied. For echelon IV officials like section heads, sub-division heads, and urban village heads, they will receive Rp 4 million per month. For echelon III officials that include division heads, sub-district heads, and sub-department heads, their transportation allowance is Rp 7 million per month. For echelon II officials in the level of department heads, bureau heads, and mayors, they will get Rp 9 million per month.

“We offer all civil servants, which one do you choose? We rent cars for you or you take the transportation allowance? This plan will be imposed after the 2014 City Budget Amendment (APBDP) is ratified,” he said.