Yuli Tri Suwarni, Bandung – The Bandung municipality has set aside more than Rp 1.6 billion (US$177,000) for office renovations and official cars for newly elected Mayor Dada Rosada and Vice Mayor Ayi Vivananda.
Head of the inventory division at the Bandung municipality Jaja Nurzaman said his office would allocate Rp 900 million to buy four new cars – two sedans and two sport utility vehicles – while around Rp 700 million would be used to renovate the vice mayor's office.
Incumbent Bandung mayor Dada and vice mayor Ayi won the direct mayoral election on Aug. 13 and will be sworn in Sept. 16. They were nominated by the Golkar Party, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI), the Democratic Party, the National Awakening Party (PKB) and other minor parties.
The city council has already approved the vehicle procurement funds, Nurzaman said, adding two official cars in use were over five years old and were eligible for replacement, according to existing regulations.
"The age limit makes it possible for them to be replaced. We submitted a proposal, which has been approved by the city council. We only proposed an amount commensurate with the approved budget," Nurzaman said by phone Friday from Bandung.
The municipal council has approved the use of two Toyota Camry sedans and two Ford Escape SUVs, with one of each provided to the mayor and vice governor.
Nurzaman said the sedans would be used for formal functions, with the SUVs employed in rural visits.
"There's no problem as the mayor used to have two cars," Nurjaman said. He appealed to the public not to dispute the expenses as the Finance Ministry had approved a maximum procurement of Rp 375 million for state officials and Rp 300 for echelon I officials.
According to Nurzaman, Ayi's office will be renovated along with conference and guest rooms totaling 1,000 square meters. Renovations began last week and are scheduled to end in October.
Municipal household affairs head Endang Embun said Ayi had recently requested a change in the official house number following suggestions from his advisers.
"He has requested the house number be changed to 11A because right now its No. 13. We are still trying to get related agencies to change it," Embun said.
Ayi said he had never requested his office be renovated, but refused to comment on whether he had requested a change in the house number, traditionally associated with bad luck.
"I'm confused why I'm being asked all these questions. Frankly, I've never asked for an office renovation, while the municipal council has approved the procurement of official cars, which has been set aside from the city budget. That's all," he said by phone.
The swearing-in ceremony for the elected Bandung mayor and vice mayor – slated for Sept. 16 at the Merdeka Building in Bandung – is expected to cost Rp 200 million, twice the sum of that held for the West Java governor and vice governor. As it will take place during Ramadan, funds for food and refreshments will not be needed.
Bandung municipal council secretary Ebet Hidayat said the higher cost was related to souvenirs to be handed out to the ceremony's 1,200 guests, he added.
"There's nothing substantial to the ceremony. We will be handing out souvenirs to the guests as a token of gratitude," Ebet told the media in Bandung on Monday.
According to ceremony plans, each guest will receive a clock with a picture of the mayor and vice mayor printed on it.