Surabaya – East Java's development index may stagnate next year, despite an increase in the 2010 budget, a local councilor said Tuesday.

"If compared with the province's 2009 development index, next year's development index looks to increase.

"But if compared with the 2008 development index, it looks as if it may go backward," East Java Legislative Council member Ahmad Nawardi told Antara in Surabaya.

He said the 2008 budget for the East Java administration totaled Rp 7.075 trillion (US$745 million), but it fell to Rp 6.691 trillion in 2009. Next year's budget for the province is predicted to hit Rp 7.017 trillion, added Nawardi.

The councilor said the province's 2010 revenue was projected to be less than in 2009 and 2008. He said the tax collection for East Java also saw a decrease from Rp 4.481 trillion in 2008 to Rp 3.967 trillion this year.

"Although (the tax collection) is projected to increase to Rp 4.082 trillion in 2010, it will only be small," Nawardi added.