TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Uchok Sky Khadafi, the Indonesian Forum for Budget Transparency’s (Fitra) advocacy and investigation director, has slammed the government for allocating enormous cash to organize the nation’s 69th Independence Day ceremony at the State Palace.
Uchok claimed that, according to the details in the state budget (APBN), the ceremony would cost around Rp11.3 billion. “This is too luxurious and expensive,” Uchok said in a press release dated Friday, August 15, 2014.
Uchok said the extravagant ceremony would hurt the public’s feelings, particularly those of the deprived. He added the government should have prioritized the use of the state budget to boost the people’s welfare.
According to Fitra’s state budget records, the dearest post in the budget was tent and chair rents at Rp2.5 billion, followed by souvenirs with Rp1.8 billion, tent and stage installation at Rp1.5 billion, air conditioners and cameras at Rp1.5 billion, and civil uniforms at Rp1 billion.
IRA GUSLINA SUFA