Gov’t to Reallocate Goods Expenditure to Human Resource Development for 2019 State Budget

Minister of National Development Planning (PPN)/Head of National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) Bambang Brodjonegoro responds to reporters’ questions after a Plenary Cabinet Meeting, at Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java, Wednesday (18/7) (Photo: PR/Agung)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo gives directives on efficiency of goods expenditure in the discussion of Bill on the State Budget (RAPBN) for the 2019 Fiscal Year. Based on his directives, the budget will be reallocated to priority programs.

Minister of National Development Planning (PPN)/Head of National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) Bambang Brodjonegoro asserted that today’s Plenary Cabinet Meeting will discuss priority programs which will be a major concern in the reallocation.

“Directives of the President are; first, for the development of human resources. It is focussed on several measures, among others, rehabilitation of educational facilities, particularly for elementary or middle schools, be it under the authority of Ministry of Education and Culture or Ministry of Religious Affairs,” Bambang told the reporters after the Plenary Cabinet Meeting, at Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java, on Wednesday (18/7).

The second directives, Bambang added, is regarding the strengthening of vocational education, be it under the authority of Ministry of Education and Culture, Ministry of Religious Affairs, or a number of ministries according to their respective fields.

The third directives is measure to decrease the rate of stunting, in which the Government will strengthen health sector and improve sanitation and sewerage infrastructures.

“Thus, that is all the summary. Besides programs that are aimed at meeting the National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) in infrastructure, public works and public housing, transportation, and tourism sectors, there is also program to organize the 2019 General Election successfully,” Bambang explained.

Regarding sources of funds reallocated to priority programs, the Minister said that it is sourced from efficiency of goods expenditure implemented in all ministries/institutions.

“It is indeed applied to goods expenditure that does not affect priority programs. We already informed the directives to all ministries/institutions.

According to Bambang, the budget reallocation includes 20 percent of education budget. However, Bambang stressed that it still will prioritize educational sector, including vocational education and rehabilitation of educational facilities.

As budget for stunting, it is sourced from 5 percent of health budget, Bambang added.

The Minister concluded that RAPBN 2019 is the last RAPBN in the President Jokowi’s Administration. Thus, it must meet targets set for 2019, including on poverty, inequality, and others. (DNA/ES) (RAS/YM/Naster)