TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Member of the House of Representatives' (DPR) Financial Commission from the Golkar Party Melky Melkias Mekeng, has questioned the Customs and Excise Directorate General's reason for trimming Rp 143 billion (US$14,6 million) from its budget for the procurement of patrol ship.
"We don't want our ship to be outrunned at sea against illegal fishermen, illegal loggers, and fuel smugglers," said Melky during a meeting with the Financial Commission and the Financial Ministry on Wednesday evening, June 5, at the Nusantara Building in Senayan.
Melky's remark has been approved by all members of the Financial Commission such as Indah Kurnia from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), who believed that the institution should not push budget cuts. "Why the government reduce its budget while targets remain unachieved?" asked Indah.
However, Indah also criticized the Customs and Excise Directorate General for 'only' postponing the down payment for the patrol ship. "This is a halfhearted saving attempt," said Indah.
MUHAMMAD MUHYIDDIN
