"The essence is that how the PSO funds could be disbursed soon. It should be handled by the directorate general of budgetary without passing through the ministry concerned," Sumaryanto Widayatin, deputy minister for state-owned enterprises (SOE), told a hearing of the House Commission VI on financial affairs here on Wednesday.
He said that the reason for the government to raise the idea was that SOEs which received the funds could carry out their programs so that it would have positive impact on the performance of the companies concerned.
"If the PSO funds are disbursed too late it could delay the activities and programs of the companies," he said.
So far, recipient PSO companies include the Indonesian Railway Firm PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI), ANTARA National News Agency, shipping firm PT Pelni and PT Pos Indonesia.
The PSO funds are provided by the government in order to provide services for the people.
"If they do not focus on public services they will not get PSO funds," the deputy minister said.
This year PT KAI has proposed a PSO fund of Rp637 billion but so far it has not been disbursed, ANTARA got Rp79.99 billion and Pelni Rp900.8 billion.
"It would be better if a tender is called for the extension of the PSO funds in five years so that the funds could be disbursed soon each year," he said.
(Uu.A014/HAJM)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
