Unfortunately, KJP fund has been cut, considering and we need Rp 1.3 trillion to help students. In fact, the DPRD only approved more than Rp 700 billion

A request for additional fund of Jakarta Smart Card (KJP) proposed by Jakarta Provincial Government was rejected by Jakarta Legislative Council (DPRD). The reason is KJP fund distribution does not right on target, thus one-half of recipients deleted from the amount offered.

Responding on this matter, Jakarta Vice Governor Basuki 'Ahok' T Purnama disclosed that the necessary KJP fund reaches Rp 1.3 trillion. Yet in 2014 City Budget (APBD), only allocated about Rp 799 billion, while additional fund proposal in APBD Amendment is not approved.

"Unfortunately, KJP fund has been cut, considering and we need Rp 1.3 trillion to help students. In fact, the DPRD only approved more than Rp 700 billion," he told, at City Hall, Thursday (8/14).

Whereas, he continued, such fund is much needed by students. The amount given to each level is actually still lacking so far, for instance, the fund for Senior High School (SMA) students reaches Rp 800 thousand per month, while they only received Rp 240 thousand per month. 

"I give example, the students of SMA and Vocational School (SMK) need Rp 800 thousand per month. If they were in private school, they should pay tuition around Rp 400 thousand and Rp 150 thousand for cost, as well as meal cost. That means they need Rp 800 thousand," said the former regent of East Belitung.

He acknowledged that the DPRD's reason to reject the proposal is quite reasonable, because there was a deviation. Therefore, he threatened officials would be dismissed if they were proven guilty. 

"The reason is quite reasonable, where deviation has been found. Even, the Jakarta Development Planning Board (Bappeda) and Financial Management Body (BPKD) couldn't explain it," he expressed.

Lasro Marbun, Head of Jakarta Education Department justified additional KJP fund proposal was rejected by DPRD. Thus his department had to delete several KJP recipients from 573 became 309,585 students.

With that number, he ensures existing fund will be available more than enough. He also did verify again to determine students who actually eligible to receive KJP fund. "We use existing funds as much as possible, and will be given to those who really need it," stated Marbun.

He promised to conduct improvements in the implementation of the 2015 KJP. Moreover, in the fund proposal, has involved two institutions namely the executive and legislative. "We will fix the KJP next year. Temporarily, we only use the existing funds," he explained.

The amount of KJP fund received by students per month students at the level of Elementary School (SD), Ibtidaiyah Madrasah (MI) or equivalent is Rp 180,000. Then for students of Elementary School (SD) and Madrasah Tsanawiyah (MTs) will get Rp 210,000, Rp 240,000 for students of Junior High School (SMP), Vocational School (SMK), and Madrasah Aliyah (MA). Until now, the fund is not yet disbursed and still being processed by Jakarta BPKD.