All the government's fast and appropriate moves must be accountable
Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has laid emphasis on accountable and transparent management of the budget totaling Rp677.2 trillion for COVID-19 handling allocated in the revised state budget 2020 to avoid embezzlement of funds.

"All the government's fast and appropriate moves must be accountable," Jokowi remarked at the opening of a virtual national coordination meeting on the government’s internal supervision here on Monday.

Jokowi affirmed that the budget that was stepped up, from Rp405.1 trillion to Rp677.2 trillion, should be managed prudently to result in a right policy to handle the COVID-19 pandemic and facilitate the country's economic recovery.

"There must be good management, right on target, and simple procedures, resulting in maximum output and outcome for the nation," he reiterated.

The president has called on the government’s internal supervisory agencies, such as the Finance and Development Supervisory Board (BPKP), supervisory inspectorate in ministries, and the National Public Procurement Agency (LKPP) to impose a policy on fraud prevention and development on budget management.

"In addition, cooperation and synergy with external supervisory agencies, the Financial Supervisory Board (BPK), as well as the police, Attorney General Office, and the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) must be maintained," he emphasized.

The government has increased the budget for COVID-19 handling and economic recovery to Rp677.2 trillion in the revised state budget 2020, and as consequence, the budget deficit has widened, from 5.07 percent to 6.34 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP).
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Translator: Indra Arief P, Sri Haryati
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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