TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Home Affairs Ministry's effort to mediate the dispute between the Jakarta administration and the City Council centering on the Jakarta Budget for 2015 has yet come into fruition. The mediation facilitated on Thursday, March 5, 2015, had been deadlocked since Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama and a number of councilors insisted on their own budget draft.
"Clearly, Jakarta needs the budget. Otherwise, [we] won't be able to receive income and spend the budget," Ahok said at his office after the mediation on Thursday, March 5, 2015.
Regional secretary Saefullah, said that the deadlock might lead to a governor regulation to finalize the budget draft.
"If the deadlock continues, we will report the issue to the Home Affairs Minister and propose to draft a governor regulation by using 2014 budget ceiling," Saefullah said.
Ahok revealed that the governor regulation would make his job easier. "We can make a proper budget, and I can build more low-cost apartments with the deputy governor."
AISHA SHAIDRA