Home Affairs Minister Calls on Regions to Implement e-Budgeting
April 28, 2017 | 9:40 pm
Jakarta. The electronic budgeting system, better known as e-budgeting, must be implemented by all regional administrations, Home Affairs Minister Tjahjo Kumolo said.
Speaking on the sidelines of the National Development Planning Congress in Jakarta on Wednesday (26/04), Tjahjo said the system is crucial to prevent the abuse of authority, misuse of state funds, and corrupt practices within government.
He said e-budgeting is part of the government's efforts to maintain transparency and accountability in financial management in the regions.
"Only less than 50 percent of the [Indonesian] regions have implemented this. […] Essentially, it is how all regions [will] implement the e-budgeting," Tjahjo said.
"The Home Affairs Ministry has a commitment with the KPK [Corruption Eradication Commission], BPKP [State Finance Development Controller] and BPK [Supreme Audit Agency] for the implementation," Tjahjo added.
These agencies will cooperate with the ministry to fully utilize the e-budgeting system to supervise budget allocations and usage of funds.
Tjahjo reminded all regional administrations to use the e-budgeting system.
Several elected regional heads must also receive training to further familiarize themselves with e-budgeting and to help them identify areas that are prone to corruption.
"They should understand all aspects, including corruption-prone areas, especially in drawing up the budget," he said.
Strong Leadership
Separately, Robert Endi Jaweng, executive director of Jakarta-based Regional Autonomy Watch (KPPOD), said strong and courageous leadership is needed to prevent budget-related corruption, both by bureaucrats and regional lawmakers.
Endi said the system is only a support tool, while the will and firmness of regional heads are required to implement the zero-corruption policy.
"What Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama did with his e-budget may become an example. He can implement that as Ahok was strong and brave enough to battle the budget mafia," Endi said in Jakarta on Thursday.
He added that the government has been pursuing transparency through the implementation of e-budgeting. The transparency will help to prevent corrupt practices.
"The transparency will also encourage close public supervision, as all Jakarta residents may know about budget spending, as well as accountability," Endi said.
Ahok successfully implemented bureaucratic reforms by building a clean bureaucratic culture.
"There are also several regions implementing e-budgeting, but it would be meaningless if it is not accompanied by strong, clean and courageous leadership," Endi said.
He said the Home Affairs Ministry should enforce e-budgeting in other regions, based on the mandate of the law to conduct transparent, accountabile, efficient and effective budget management.
"Budget transparency is mandated by law. The home affairs minister should impose firm sanctions. For the regions that have been transparent [in managing their budgets], they should be appreciated," Endi said.
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