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Jakarta welcomes individuals, groups to apply for funding for overseas trips
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Actress and political activist Ratna Sarumpaet (right) is escorted from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Banten to the Jakarta Police headquarters on Thursday evening. (Warta Kota/Alex Subhan)
T
he Jakarta administration has said it welcomes applications from anyone or any group seeking sponsorship for attending overseas events amid the recent brouhaha surrounding the arrest of activist Ratna Sarumpaet, who was about to embark on an overseas trip at the city's expense.
Jakarta Regional Head and Foreign Cooperation Bureau chief Mawardi said the city can approve funding proposals from individuals or groups. But there are several conditions, such as whether the trips represent Jakarta, bring honor to Jakarta or Indonesia as well as promote the country’s cultures.
"[Proposals] are welcome, we will see what they represent,” he said as reported by kompas.com on Friday.
The individuals or groups must first coordinate with the agency related to their field and then send an official proposal to Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan. The governor will then discuss the proposal with related agencies, Mawardi said.
The funding for overseas trips is stipulated in the 2018 gubernatorial decree on overseas trips.
Ratna was arrested by the Jakarta Police onboard an aircraft in Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on Thursday evening. She was about to depart for Santiago, Chile to attend the 11th Women Playwrights International Conference.
Anies, through the Jakarta Tourism Agency, had approved her proposal to pay for her travel and accommodation.
She received Rp 70 million (US$4,614) for her trip, which Mawardi said must be returned to the city after it was cancelled.
Ratna, he added, must also write an accountability report for the administration on the funding she had received.
