Oyos Saroso H.N., Bandarlampung – Local activists criticized Bandarlampung city councilors for appearing to give themselves a raise with a budget allocation of an additional Rp 13.6 billion (US$1.4 million) which will be go to providing suitable housing for the municipal legislative body.

As a result of the housing budget decision, which applies to the current fiscal year, city councillors will receive Rp 5 million as a monthly housing allowance while deputies of the council chairman receive Rp 5.5 million per month and the chief councilor Rp 6 million per month.

Chairman of the Anti-corruption Committee (Koak) Ahmad Yulden Erwin said the housing allowance was too high for the small city, because monthly rental fees on the most luxurious houses in Bandarlampung were only around Rp 3 million.

"The housing allowance is too high. This is apparently a new strategy to raise councillors' monthly income and this kind of thing has happened before in other regions, including with the House of Representatives in Jakarta," he said Thursday.

Bandarlampung chief councilor Azwar Yakub said the housing allowance was paid because the municipal legislature had yet to provide official housing accommodation for councillors and administrative staff.

"It has been difficult to find land for the development of an official residence for the city councillors and most councillors haven't been supportive of the proposals we've made for the residences because they're aware they may end up living there for as long as 10 years (two five-year terms)."

Lampung Parliament Watch (LPW) province-level chairman Wahyu Sasongko concurred with the local activists.

He recommended a review of the housing allowance line-item, as the rate at luxury hotels in the city was no more than Rp 15 -20 million annually.