House proposes big library budget increase

The House of Representatives wants to triple the budget for library development in 2012 to Rp 2.5 trillion (US$290 million), up from Rp 750 billion in 2011, a legislator says.

“We can take the money from education funds, which will reach Rp 250 trillion next year. A mere one percent of that figure will really support the development of libraries in Indonesia,” lawmaker Zulfadhli said on Wednesday while visiting the West Kalimantan Library Agency in Pontianak.

House Commission X, overseeing education, culture and tourism, was committed to supporting the development of the country's libraries, added Zulfadhli, who is a member of the commission.

Zulfadhli cited the continually increasing budget for Indonesian libraries development, which stood at Rp 300 billion in 2010, Antara reported.