President Jokowi Calls for Accelerated Spending Realization

President Jokowi chairs a limited meeting on the Impact of the Covid-19 Outbreak on Indonesia’s Economy, Tuesday (25/2), at the President’s Office, Jakarta. (Photo by: Jay/PR)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has ordered his Cabinet Ministers and Heads of Institutions as well as Regional Leaders to accelerate the realization of spending.

“I order Minister of Home Affairs to once again remind Governors, Regents, Mayors to immediately realize their regional budget spending in their respective regions and to ensure the accelerated disbursement of Village Funds,” the President said in a limited meeting on the Follow-up Discussion on the Impact of Covid-19 Outbreak on Indonesia’s Economy, Tuesday (25/2) at the Presidential Office, Jakarta.

A number of villages, according to the President, have received funds; yet, what needs to be done now is to immediately push for spending as planned.

“I call for immediate implementation of social protection programs and social assistance, both the Family Hope Program (PKH) and other social assistance, such as cash for work programs, labor-intensive programs that have a direct impact on the society,” the President said, adding that those in charge of the programs are Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing, Ministry of State-owned Enterprises, and Ministry of Transportation.

The President added that Ministry of Agriculture, which is tasked to build irrigation system, also needs to speed up its spending realization.

The Head of State also called for effective implementation and measures to reduce current account deficit and trade balance.

“We can cut imports by controlling its implementation on the ground. We will make it a priority,” the President said. (MAY/SM/EN)

Translated by: Muhardi

Reviewed by: M. Ersan Pamungkas