This is very crucial, particularly in 2020, in the wake of the health and economic crises. Extraordinary measures must be undertaken by the government
Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo has urged ministers and heads of state institutions to utilize the budgeted Rp695.2 trillion for handling the COVID-19 pandemic and the national economic recovery in a quick, precise, and accountable manner.

"This is very crucial, particularly in 2020, in the wake of the health and economic crises. Extraordinary measures must be undertaken by the government," the president noted while receiving the results of the 2019 Central Government Financial Report (LKPP) at the Merdeka Palace, here on Monday.

The head of state explained that the government’s budget of Rp695.2 trillion for handling COVID-19 and the national economic recovery (PEN) was allocated for improving fiscal resilience. The president has called on ministers and heads of state institutions to be prudent in utilizing the large amount of fiscal expenditure.

"This is a very large amount to the tune of Rp695.2 trillion," he pointed out.

Nonetheless, President Jokowi called for utilizing the funds for handling the COVID-19 pandemic in a quick, accurate, and accountable way to ensure that the public is able to bear clear witness to every policy.

"I also hope for support and assistance from the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK), so that we can surmount over this crisis smoothly without any problems in future," he noted.

The head of state also called on all apparatuses of the government internal control system, such as the Finance and Development Supervisory Agency (BPKP) and the National Public Procurement Agency (LKPP), to partake in accelerating and ensuring accountable solutions for budget realization.

"All law enforcement officials, the Attorney General's Office, the Police, and the Corruption Eradication Commission should always give priority to prevention aspects. Law enforcement agencies should strengthen good governance that is transparent and accountable," the president stated.

In submitting the investigative report (LHP) for the 2019 fiscal year, Chairperson of BPK Agung Firman Sampurna highlighted the Fair Without Exception (WTP) opinion on the 2019 State Financial Statement (LKPP).

"However, the BPK has identified several problems, both in the internal control system (SPI) and in compliance with statutory provisions, that must be followed up," Sampurna stated.
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Translator: Indra A, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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