TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Democratic Party (NasDem) central executive board instructed its faction at the Jakarta Legislative Council to withdraw inquiry against Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama over the Jakarta Budget polemic, NasDem Party secretary General Rio Patrice Capella said in a press release on Monday, March 02, 2015.
Rio explained the decision was made since the polemic of the Jakarta Budget has affected public services, including the Jakarta administration’s spending.
“The distribution of salary is also hampered,” Rio said.
The polemic started when Ahok indicated fictitious programs included in the Budget, and when Ahok submitted the Jakarta Budget Draft that was inconsistent with the one approved by the City Council. Rio added that NasDem has suggested Home Affairs Ministry Tjahjo Kumolo and Ahok to sit and discuss the solution to the problem.
The conflict between Ahok and the City Council escalated as Ahok exposed Rp12 trillion (US$1 billion) worth of fictitious programs inserted by the City Council into the Jakarta Budget. Ahok then threatened to ask the Jakarta branch of the Finance Development Comptroller (BPKP) to investigate the fictitious programs.
RIKY FERDIANTO
