JAKARTA. Jakarta gubernatorial candidate Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono has denied that a program to disburse Rp 1 billion (US$74,197) per year to every community unit (RW) in the city is unfeasible given the current budget constraints.

Agus claimed the city budget could accommodate the program. The former middle-ranking military officer said that, according to his calculations, the program would only require Rp 2.7 trillion while Jakarta's annual budget was around Rp 70 trillion.

There are approximately 2,700 RWs across Jakarta.

Many have questioned the program's feasibility, including incumbent candidates Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama and Djarot Saiful Hidayat.

“How come Pak Djarot could not calculate it? [Rp 2.7 trillion] from Rp 70 trillion is nothing, especially if it is allocated to empower community units, Pak Djarot!” Agus said after a campaign event with Jakartan youths in Central Jakarta on Tuesday afternoon.

During a campaign visit in Cilincing, North Jakarta, on Monday, Djarot said the program would significantly burden the city budget. He also said giving Rp 1 billion to every RW could lead to misuse and potential corruption.

Many have considered the program to be a form of vote-buying because Agus promised to give people money to get votes. Agus has brushed off the allegations.

A recent poll by Indikator Politik Indonesia suggested a drop in Agus-Sylviana Murni’s popularity in January was partly caused by the lack of a thorough explanation of the program during the first official candidate debate on Jan. 13. (Safrin La Batu)

Editor: Barratut Taqiyyah Rafie