Jokowi made the statement during the Budget Implementation List (DIPA) and Transfer Allocation List to Regions (TKD) for the 2024 Fiscal Year handover to representatives of ministry and agency and regional government officials on Wednesday.
"Please use the budget wisely, thoroughly, and right on target," Jokowi said in his speech at the State Palace, Jakarta.
The president warned officials from ministries and institutions and regional governments regarding the potential for an economic crisis and recession triggered by the impact of unstable global geopolitics and climate change.
He also reminded them to remain transparent and accountable for regional finances that need to be prioritized by the competent authorities to prevent misuse of the budget related to corruption.
"Prioritize transparency and accountability. Do not let corruption take the lead," he stated.
He then drew attention to the acceleration of optimal absorption of the 2023 state budget within the remaining three weeks.
According to the Home Affairs Ministry's report, the realization of central government budget absorption is currently only around 74 percent, while regional governments are around 64 percent.
"In the remaining three weeks, the absorption is only 64 to 74 percent. In these three weeks, trillions of money will be released. We keep repeating this every year," he stated.
Lastly, the president stated that automatic adjustments are needed to anticipate uncertain situations.
"We have to be agile in responding to existing changes. In this current uncertainty, there will always be a change every day, every week, and every month," he remarked.
The head of state noted that all the money spent is that of the public, so the government should focus on the results of the programs implemented.
"We must be result-oriented. Focus on the result and the benefit for our people," he emphasized.
Moreover, Jokowi stated that the handover of the 2024 DIPA and TKD to ministers, heads of institutions, and governors was carried out digitally with no use of physical documents as was done earlier.
State spending in 2024 will be aimed at completing priority infrastructure, accelerating green economic transformation, and supporting bureaucracy and state apparatus reform, including support for the implementation of the 2024 elections.
The Finance Ministry allocated a budget of Rp857.6 trillion, or an increase of 5.3 percent, from the 2023 allocation in the form of regional transfer (TKD) to support the wages of government employees with work agreements, especially for teachers and health workers.
The additional budget also aims to improve regional public services, support school operations, Early Childhood Education (PAUD), and equal education as well as to address extreme poverty and reduce stunting.
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Translator: Andi Firdaus, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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