TEMPO.CO, Pekanbaru - The Islamic Students Association’s (HMI) congress to be held in Pekanbaru, Riau, has sparked criticism since the fund that amounts to Rp3 billion (US$214,000) to hold the congress will be taken from the Riau Budget.
Reports said that the budget was even larger than that earmarked to prevent forest fires in Riau this year.
“This is crazy, makes no sense,” said Usman, the coordinator of the Riau branch of the Indonesian Forum for Budget Transparency (Fitra), on Wednesday, November 18.
Usman said that HMI’s congress in Riau would not directly benefit local communities. Usman also expressed his concern that the money would be manipulated by students and lawmakers who were activists of the organization.
Usman viewed that allocating billions of rupiah for a congress would trigger suspicion amid budget cut for public services. According to Usman, the money should be allocated for school renovations, health services improvement or forest and land fire prevention efforts.
In response to the criticism, Riau acting governor Arsyadjuliandi Rachman said that the money was a form of supports pledged by the Riau Provincial administration for young generations.
“We see the congress as a learning forum for Riau’s youth at the national level,” he said.
Arsyajuliandi claimed that President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and Vice President Jusuf “JK” Kalla, as well as ministers, will attend the HMI congress. He added that the congress would be an opportunity for Riau to discuss development programs in Riau with the central government.
RIYAN NOFITRA