The city administration is currently deliberating over the budget plan with the City Council.

The proposal has garnered strong criticism from the public because of its spike in spending in several areas.

"Please do examine the allocation. We are lucky that the [2018 budget] is examined by so many people," he said as quoted by kompas.com on Thursday. 

A number of allocations in the budget plan have drawn the public's attention because of a spike in spending in several areas.

Anies has allocated Rp 1.6 trillion (US$118.3 million) in grants to 104 non-profit mass organizations, mostly Islamic ones including mosques, musholla (prayer rooms) and majlis taklim (Quran study congregations).

Jakarta mosques played a significant role in Anies' victory during the gubernatorial election earlier this year, when they called on Muslims not to hold funeral prayers for deceased Muslims found to have supported Anies’ contender, Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama, who is a Christian of Chinese ethnicity.

Meanwhile, the budget for the councillors’ working trips quadrupled to Rp 107.7 billion (US$7.9 million).

It also includes Rp 620 million to revamp a fountain at the council building in Central Jakarta and Rp 346.7 million for procuring automatic air freshener dispensers. 

Anies said he hoped more people would keep an eye on the budget plan, to ensure it is well deliberated and transparent. 

He further said the city's budget was from the people and, hence, Jakartans must take part in examining the deliberation. 

"With more eyes watching, [God willing] the funds will be allocated for people's needs," he added. (agn)

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