KLUNGKUNG ~ Regent of Klungkung Wayan Candra has announced he will try to decrease the regency’s spending on temple activities, an official said.

On Monday district secretary of Klungkung Ketut Janapria said the regent was anxious to free up money for important programs that had been left waiting because of a lack of budget, and would sensitively decide on a priority of programs.

Janapria, as a head of the executive budgeting committee, said he had already discussed the issue with the head of the Klungkung’s tourism and culture bureau, Nengah Wijana.

He said they discussed the standardization of aid distribution to prevent jealousy, by categorizing programs by the kind of temple they take place in.

According to officials, budget planning in Klungkung for 2009 will focus on improving the distribution of clean water, the entrance to Gunaksa Bay and possibly a large increase in budget for institutions.