Politician beats government official over ‘aspiration fund’

In the national politics, constituency fund, popularly known as aspiration fund, has triggered a war of words, but in the Aceh city of Lhokseumawe it has already sparked a physical fight.

Lhokseumawe legislative council member Jamaluddin Ali, 48, has been reported to the police for beating head of regional industry, trade and cooperative agency Ridwan Alamsyah on Friday, Antara news agency reported.

The assault, which caused Ridwan’s left eye to swell, evolved around the agency’s failure to disburse Rp 245 million (US$26,900) in aspiration fund for fishermen community due to administrative reasons.

Witnesses said Jamaluddin and a group of aspiration fund recipients went to Ridwan’s office to ask for the money after the Friday prayer. Ridwan refused to disburse the money unless the recipients opened a bank account and submitted required documents as part of efforts to uphold accountability.

 Jamaluddin said the bureaucratic procedure was intended to slow the disbursement of the fund. Losing his temper, he punched Ridwan in his face and slapped the agency’s treasurer, Maryati.

Lhokseumawe police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Bambang S said the police had launched an investigation into the incident by questioning a number of witnesses.