In a press conference following a meeting with PDT Minister Yandri Susanto, Attorney General Sanitiar Burhanuddin emphasized that his office would do its utmost to support the ministry in preventing budget leaks.
"In principle, we are committed to providing comprehensive assistance, both in preventive and repressive measures. We will work to prevent budget leaks and take necessary actions if such issues are detected," he remarked at his office in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Minister Susanto, for his part, pointed out that over the past decade, the government had disbursed a total of Rp610 trillion (approximately US$37 billion) in village funds, with Rp71 trillion allocated for this year.
Given the large amount of funds and the relatively low financial literacy among some village officials, he stressed the importance of collaborating with law enforcement agencies to prevent corrupt practices.
"Many village leaders lack sufficient understanding of financial accountability. It is our shared responsibility to enhance the capacity of village officials to properly utilize the funds received from the state," he elaborated.
Susanto also mentioned briefing the attorney general on allegations of village fund misappropriation by rural authorities, referring to reports of village heads using the funds for online gambling.
"We have asked prosecutors to help address this issue in order to impose a deterrent effect on village leaders who deviate from their mandates," he remarked.
He further emphasized that as a non-law enforcement institution, the PDT Ministry's authority is limited to evaluating the village funds and reporting any misappropriation to law enforcers.
"We can only report findings to be investigated by those with the proper authority," he stated.
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Translator: Fath P, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Primayanti
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