Ahok returns Rp 1.2 billion of his personal operational budget to government after submitting official resignation to Jokowi

Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama is seen inside a court during his trial for blasphemy in Jakarta, Indonesia May 9, 2017 in this photo taken by Antara Foto. Antara Foto/ Sigid Kurniawan/via REUTERS
Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama is seen inside a court during his trial for blasphemy in Jakarta, Indonesia May 9, 2017 in this photo taken by Antara Foto. Antara Foto/ Sigid Kurniawan/via REUTERS

Former Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama was immediately suspended from official duties after he was found guilty of committing blasphemy against Islam and sentenced to two years in jail (in a decision that has been widely criticized as unjust and discriminatory). Ahok’s former vice governor, Djarot Saiful Hidayat, was then named temporary acting governor, but it was not until Tuesday that Ahok officially abrogated his position by submitting a handwritten letter of resignation to President Joko Widodo.

Ahok submitted the letter to ease the legal process of his official dismissal, which would otherwise require processing through various government ministries and the judiciary.

In addition to his resignation, Ahok also returned the remainder of the gubernatorial operational budget he had been given by the state for the month of May, an amount totaling over Rp 1.2 billion.

“In connection with the issuance of Presidential Decree of The Republic of Indonesia Number 56 / P of 2017 concerning the Temporary Discharge of the Governor of Jakarta Capital Special Region and the Appointment of the Governor of the Special Capital Region of the Capital City dated May 12, 2017, I hereby declare I shall return the remaining BPO (Operational Budget) of the Regional Head for May of 2017 ” Ahok said in a written letter, as quoted by Detik.

The letter, signed by Ahok from his prison cell, was dated May 23, 2017, and included a proof of the bank transfer confirming the funds’ return.

The governor’s operational budget is given by the state to cover costs related to the executive position, such as upkeep of the governor’s residence, food, transportation, special events, etc.

It is not the first time Ahok has returned operational funds to the government. He also gave Rp 4.8 billion back to the government in 2014, when he replaced Jokowi as Jakarta governor after he won the presidential election. The returned funds were the remainder of Jokowi’s operational costs for the last 4 months of 2014.

Ahok was not asked to return the funds in either instance. It is quite rare to see Indonesian politicians voluntarily give up the monetary perks of their position (rather than abuse them), which has earned Ahok even more praise after his surprise decision on Monday to withdraw his sentence appeal “… for the good of our country and the nation.”

In contrast to Ahok, some might remember the controversy over former President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono “borrowing” a Mercedes Benz S-600 from the government long after his term had ended. There is a law saying that presidents and VPs are entitled to a car from the state at the end of their terms, but SBY didn’t get his when he stepped down due to budgetary cuts, so he “borrowed” one of the presidential cars instead. For several years. Until he got caught and had to return it.



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