"The Ministry of Defense has demonstrated good efforts, and we are lauding it today. We hope that the efforts would be ongoing," Agung Firman Sampurna of BPK remarked after holding a meeting with Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu at the BPK Office in Central Jakarta, Monday.
The BPK intentionally invited Minister of Defense Ryacudu to discuss the improvement in accountability, management, responsibility, and state finances at the Ministry of Defense.
"This is an extraordinary progress. We also earlier told the minister of defense. The BPK is ready to support not only in the context of maintaining accountability in the state finances but also in supporting performance. It must be understood that the ministry has two fields of operations in the form of war military and non-military," Sampurna remarked.
Hence, the BPK has observed the manner in which the Ministry of Defense conducts its main tasks and functions properly while maintaining its system of governance.
Meanwhile, Minister Ryacudu claimed to have discussed the matter of state finances with the Ministry of Defense. He said the largest state financial allocation was in the ministry that he was leading.
"It happens to be the largest state finance in the Ministry of Defense. That is what the people`s money is for; it is allocation. It is clear that the money is for buying tanks. Hence, the BPK checked it properly. We have also provided a pleasant way to the BPK," he noted.
The Defense Ministry`s earlier financial statements received BPK`s Qualified Opinion status. Ryamizard also claimed to have opened up to the BPK.
"What is clear is that we must be open and really clean, as what we do -- both the Ministry of Defense and the BPK -- concerns the state`s money. We must be accountable," Ryamizard added.
Reporting by Syaiful Hakim
Editing by Otniel Tamindael
Reporter: Antara
Editor: Andi Abdussalam
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
