Jakarta (ANTARA) - Investment Minister Bahlil Lahadalia has requested an addition in the 2024 budget in order to improve risk-based Online Single Submissions (OSS), in a bid to pursue the investment target of Rp 1,600 trillion (USD 108 billion).

"On the 2024 planning, we received an allocation of Rp 1.23 trillion (USD 82.8 million). So our investment target increased from Rp 1,400 trillion (USD 95 billion), even in 2024 our investment target is capped at Rp 1,600 trillion," he said during a meeting with House of Representatives on Friday.

Due to the fact that the investment target is Rp 1,600 trillion, yet the budget is not added. "I do not understand either. Ah, we are so confused," he added.

According to a joint letter from the Investment Ministry and Financial Ministry on Indicative Budget Ceiling, the Investment Ministry's indicative ceiling in 2024 is at Rp 1.23 trillion, with Rp 416.14 billion (USD 28 million) for management-supporting programs and Rp 810.23 billion (USD 54 million) for investment programs, he stated.

The ministry proposed an additional Rp 875 billion (USD 59 million) for the budget, with Rp 64 billion (USD 4.3 million) for management-supporting programs and Rp 811 billion (USD 54,6 million) for investment programs, he stated.

Thus, the total proposed budget is Rp 2.1 trillion (USD 141.4 million), he pointed out.

"So, our 2024 target to maintain economic growth above 5.3 percent, according to the formula from the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) and Coordinating Ministry, is that investments in real sector —minus oil and gas and financial structures— must be at Rp 1,600 trillion. (We are) just given the task. The budget is not given. So if the target is not achieved, do not blame the Investment Ministry," Lahadalia said.

He also said the budget will be allocated to improve and perfect OSS, since the system is meant to simplify the process to submit a permit, as outlined in Omnibus Law.

He also said that the OSS system is still lacking, to some extent, since the budget for its development is not as much as other applications, such as PeduliLindungi.

"OSS is being developed with only Rp 30 billion (USD 2 million). (It is like) OSS is a broken car, but the people expect it to be like a (luxury) car. The state only gives us enough to buy a used car," he stated.

Lahadalia said that investment is the beginning of all economic processes, thus OSS must be supported by sufficient funds, so they could provide best facility for the investors.

"If we want our state to be good, we have to play fair," he added.

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Translator: Ade Irma Junida, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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