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Betawi body to receive Rp 5 billion next year
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People flock the Lebaran Betawi event at Banteng Square, Central Jakarta, on Aug. 22, 2015. (Tempo/Dhemas Reviyanto)
T
he Betawi Association (Bamus Betawi) is set to receive Rp 5 billion (US$370,000) from the city administration next year, after being scrapped from the list of the budget recipients during the administration of former Jakarta governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama.
Bamus Betawi is an umbrella organization for 114 civil groups including mass organizations Betawi People's Communication Forum (Forkabi) and Betawi Brotherhood Forum (FBR).
The chairman of Bamus Betawi, Zainudin, said the organization would use the fund for holding some events to preserve and develop Betawi culture.
“Currently, we have conducted some events such as a Betawi festival, Lebaran Betawi, and Silat Betawi [martial art] festival. We will talk about the detailed programs after holding a meeting with the city’s agency for the National and Political Unity Office [Kesbangpol],” he said on Wednesday.
Previously in 2016, Ahok had scrapped funds allocated for the group, accusing it of being involved in politics.
He added that the organization was unworthy of receiving the fund as it was only responsible for holding one main event, Lebaran Betawi.
It would be better for the budget to be allocated for education and health programs, as Bamus Betawi should have been able to find sponsors for its events, Ahok said.
During the campaign period last year, the former Jakarta acting governor Sumarsono allocated Rp 2.5 billion for the organization in the revision of 2016 city budget.
This year, former Jakarta governor Djarot Saiful Hidayat allocated Rp 5 billion to the organization.
The current administration has planned to increase the amount of grants to civil society groups to Rp 1.75 trillion next year, higher than a similar allocation this year at Rp 1.47 trillion.
Budget analyst Uchok Sky Khadafi from Centre for Budget Analysis (CBA) suggested the administration reveal the proposals submitted by civil organization groups and religious institutions which asked for the grants.
The grants and social aid should be given to the people in need, he said.
“The money should not be used by the groups to hold ceremonial events,” he said.
