"I think it is a good news if the DPR does not approve the proposal for budget reduction, the more so if the budget reduction is incorporated into the law on the revised 2012 state budget (it will be a problem)," BKKBN Chief Sugiri Syarief said.Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The House of Representatives (DPR) has rejected the government`s proposal to cut budget allocations for the National Demographic and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN).
"The House Commission IX does not agree on a proposal to cut budget allocations for BKKBN in 2012," House Commission IX member Supriyatno of the Great Indonesia Movement (Gerindra) Party faction said as he chaired a hearing with BKKBN the parliament building here on Friday.
He said that demographic and family planning program was a priority program to control the rising population growth in the country.
"Therefore, the DPR will discuss the matter with the Finance Ministry," he said.
BKKBN Chief Sugiri Syarief said the government had originally planned to cut the budget allocations of Rp2.5 trillion for the agency in 2012 by Rp5 billion.
"I think it is a good news if the DPR does not approve the proposal for budget reduction, the more so if the budget reduction is incorporated into the law on the revised 2012 state budget (it will be a problem)," he said.
He said if the budget cut was approved it would certainly disturb the performance of the agency which was focusing on resolving demographic and family planning problems.
Indonesia, which is the world`s fourth most populous nation now has a population of more than 240 million.
"To curb population growth, various efforts must be made by among others revitalizing family planning program," the BKKBN chief said.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
