TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama said that he would still provide the Bekasi Government an assistance fund of up to Rp 1 trillion (US$71.5 million) taken from the Jakarta Budget.

"There is no problem, as long as it's reasonable. I have offered [the fund] since long ago," Ahok told Tempo at the City Hall on Friday, November 20, 2015.

According to Ahok, as long as the assistance fund is used responsibly and related to the Capital’s interest, the Jakarta administration would keep its promise.

"As long as the fund is used for river revitalization or road construction, then there will be no problem. I gave Rp 400 billion [US$28.7 million] to Tangerang," he added.

However, Ahok dismissed a rumor saying that the assistance fund was related to a dispute of the garbage disposal involving the Jakarta administration and the Bekasi Administration.

"It's nothing to do with garbage [dispute]. Besides, when we have an incinerator, Bekasi won’t have tipping fee anymore, since we will shut [the Bantar Gebang Integrated Waste Treatment Area]," Ahok explained.

Ahok said that the Jakarta administration must pay attention to its surrounding cities. For instance, Ahok added, the Jakarta administration had planned to extend the Transjakarta service to Bekasi and Tangerang.

"We gave them money, so they can built bus lanes and shelters. Therefore, it will help people who live in Bekasi and work in Jakarta," he said.

Earlier on Wednesday, November 18, 2015, Bekasi Mayor Rahmat Effendi revealed that the Jakarta administration would grant Bekasi with Rp 400 billion (US$28.7 million) next year for a number of infrastructure development projects. Rahmat added that the Bekasi City administration had received more than Rp 98 billion (US$7 million) from the Jakarta administration to run three mega-projects aiming at reducing traffic congestion.

ANGELINA ANJAR SAWITRI