J

akarta Governor Fauzi Bowo submitted a proposal for the 2012 city budget, worth Rp 36.02 trillion (US$4.07 billion) — a 13.43 percent increase from the 2011 revised budget, to the Jakarta City Council on Friday.

According to the proposal, education sector would again receive the bulk of the cash, with a proposed
Rp 10.4 trillion share, or 30.76 percent of the budget.

The city would also allocate around Rp 7.64 trillion to eight priority programs, including transportation development, flood control and public welfare.

“Of the eight priority programs, we will emphasize transportation development and flood control,” Fauzi told reporters after a plenary session on the budget at the City Council.

About Rp 2.89 trillion would be allocated for transportation development, including further development of the Transjakarta Bus Rapid Transit, and the MRT system and two elevated roads.

A planned expansion of the Transjakarta system would include the establishment of three new routes to add to the existing 10 routes, and refurbishing the pillars built for the canceled monorail project to support an elevated busway.

The money would also be allocated for land clearing for the planned MRT route connecting Lebak Bulus and Jl. Fatmawati in South Jakarta, as well as the ongoing construction of two elevated roads: One connecting Kampung Melayu in East Jakarta and Tanah Abang in Central Jakarta; the other connecting Jl. Antasari and Blok M in South Jakarta.

For welfare and basic needs programs, Rp 2.69 trillion would be allocated for the development of low-cost apartments along Jl. Daan Mogot, West Jakarta, and in Pluit, North Jakarta, as well as the construction of a regional public hospital in South Jakarta, and upgrades for community health centers across the city.

Additionally, Rp 557 million would be allocated for flood control, which would involve finishing the East Flood Canal as well as dredging canals.

Contacted separately, city councilors unanimously agreed that the budget increase was in line with the planned programs. However, they urged the government to be more effective at using the budget. (mim)