Agus Maryono, Purwokerto – Corruption is a deep-seated and pervasive problem that affects all levels of governance, from neighborhood level up.

The efforts of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and other high-ranking officials, as well as police and prosecutors, to eradicate corruption within the government appear to have had little impact at neighborhood or village level.

In Banyumas regency, irregularities have been reported in the issuance of household cards, identity cards and the disbursement of cash assistance for the poor.

The government implemented a quarterly cash compensation package last October to offset the effects of last year's fuel price increases. Under the scheme, low-income families are entitled to Rp 300,000 (US$31.57).

Applying for a household card or a picture ID in Banyumas is a complicated process. The application, which must go through the neighborhood and community units, then the district and regency administration offices, can take weeks to complete.

"The official fee is Rp 8,000, but it could take two months. I eventually asked them to 'accelerate' the process. The clerk at the district administration office charged me Rp 30,000 and said it would take a week, which turned out to be true," Yono, 36, a resident of Kembaran village, said.

Instead of Rp 300,000, many recipients of the unconditional cash assistance received only Rp 250,000, or even Rp 200,000. "We only got Rp 250,000. They said the Rp 50,000 was for administrative fees and contributed to the village coffers," Warsim, 30, from Kemetug village, Baturaden district, told The Jakarta Post.

He said residents had been warned that reporting the matter to their neighborhood chiefs could boomerang on them, because their names might be dropped from the list of recipients.

"Besides which, the cash assistance has not been fairly distributed. Many poor people don't receive it, but those who are better off – who have nice homes with tiled floors – receive it because they are close to their neighborhood chief," Warsim said.

Supeno, 50, from Sumbang village reported similar treatment. "Well, everyone knows the neighborhood chief distributes the money as he likes. I, who live in a house like this, get nothing, but many people who have houses with tiled floors and own motorcycles appear to be eligible," said Supeno, when met by the Post at his dirt-floor home.

In Wlahar village, Kalibagor district, residents said village officials had deducted Rp 100,000 from their payments. "They demanded Rp 100,000 from me, saying the money would be divided among their superiors. They told me not to tell anyone. If I did, they were going to drop my name from the recipient list," said villager Mad Kasim, 45.

Irregularities in the distribution of cash assistance are believed to be rife partly because residents are afraid to stand up for themselves.

However, hundreds of Wlahar Wetan residents staged a protest at the local village hall demanding that the village treasurer, who allegedly deducted Rp 100,000 from the payments, be dismissed.

Banyumas Regent Aris Setiono said Saturday, "I will take stern action against my subordinates if they are proven guilty. It is not appropriate behavior."