Use State Budget for People’s Interest: President Jokowi

President Jokowi receives financial audit reports on 2015 Central Government Financial Report (LKPP) from Chairman of the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) Harry Azhar on Monday (6/6), at the State Palace, Jakarta

Chairman of the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) on Monday (6/6) at the State Palace, Jakarta, submitted the financial audit reports on the 2015 Central Government Financial Report (LKPP) to President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo.

According to the BPK, 56 government institutions received “unqualified opinion”, 26 received a “qualified opinion”, and 4 received “disclaimer opinion”.

“I need to mention four government institutions that received “disclaimer opinion” thus next year they will improve their performance. They are Ministry of Social Affairs, Ministry of Youth and Sports, state-owned broadcasting company TVRI and National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM). These four institutions should be noted,” President Jokowi said in his remarks.

Responding to the BPK’s financial audit reports, the point is not about the predicate that the institutions received, but they should take the reports as a momentum to improve their performance and improve the state financial accountability, the President added.

“We need to work harder because the essence of transparency and accountability is a moral responsibility towards the constitution and the people,” President Jokowi said.

The State Budget must be used for the sake of the people’s interests and government institutions must ensure budget allocations are used for the people’s interests, President Jokowi reminded.

The President also instructed institutions to follow up on the BPK’s recommendations in the 2015 reports as soon as possible.

“I hope the recommendations can be followed up immediately because there are several recommendations from last year that have not been implemented yet,” the President said.

President Jokowi also called on all government institutions to improve, manage, and develop transparent financial governance.

“Do not play around with the people’s money,” the President said.

Vice President Jusuf Kalla, BPK Chairman and its high ranking officials, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Coordinating Minister for the Economy Darmin Nasution, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Minister of Home Affairs Tjahjo Kumolo, Minister of Defence Ryamizard Ryacudu, Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno LP Marsudi, Minister of Law and Human Rights Yasonna M. Laoly, Minister of Religious Affairs Lukman Hakim Saifuddin, Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Chairman Agus Rahardjo, and General Elections Commission (KPU) Chairman Husni Kamil Manik also attended the event. (FID/ES)(RAS/EP/YM/Naster)