TEMPO.CO, Serang - Half of the state budget allocated for Banten province is suspected to have made its way to the pockets of those in Banten Governor Ratu Atut Chosiyah’s ‘kingdom’.

"The other 50 percent of the budget has evaporated into thin air without any impact on the economy of the people of Banten," said political analyst from Serang’s Sultan Agung Tirtayasa University, Gandung Ismanto, on Monday.

Gandung said Atut’s family realizes the importance of taking control of community organizations because the access of political parties to communities, or vice versa, is becoming even more difficult.

"Therefore, taking control over community groups outside of political parties is considered crucial," said Gandung.

The Atut dynasty is said to have received tens of billions of rupiah from the 2012 regional budget. The funds were then donated to foundations and organizations headed by the children, siblings or in-laws of Banten Governor Ratu Atut Chosiyah and those closely related to Atut’s family. The funds were said to have been donated through social aid programs.

Banten province regional secretary Muhadi said the grants were handed out according to procedure.

"Grants and social aid are allowed to be handed out to anyone, and it was done based on the home affairs ministerial decree," said Muhadi on Monday.

WASI'UL ULUM