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House gives nod to constituency fund bill
The House of Representatives approved on Tuesday a bill allowing the distribution of funds worth Rp 20 billion [US$1
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T
he House of Representatives approved on Tuesday a bill allowing the distribution of funds worth Rp 20 billion [US$1.5 million] to each member for the development of their respective electoral districts.
Seven out of 10 party factions voted yes to the plan during a voting session at the House's legislative body (Baleg), with only three factions dissenting: the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), Hanura and NasDem.
During the following plenary meeting, several members of the losing side voiced their disapproval of the scheme.
PDI-P lawmaker Arif Wibowo said that the program would exacerbate regional wealth disparities, as some areas, such as West Java, had more representatives at the House than other areas, such as Maluku.
This would result in more funds being spent in the better-represented regions, Arif noted.
'A program that does not result in fair and proportionate treatment for all regions will limit and stifle development in the long run. Development should not only happen in major and highly represented areas of Indonesia,' he said at the plenary meeting on Tuesday.
Before Tuesday, the PDI-P had not revealed an official stance on the constituency fund plan, unlike NasDem and Hanura.
Meanwhile, Golkar lawmaker Agun Gunanjar, whose party approved the plan, also voiced his disapproval.
Echoing Arif, Agun said the plan would result in discrepancies in development across Indonesia. He also voiced suspicions over the House's seeming rush to get the bill into law.
'Something feels wrong about the fact that the House is trying to approve this plan so hastily. Inequality of fund distribution is inevitable, which will make equal development very difficult. Why go through with the plan?' Agun asked. (ika)(+++)
