Use Village Funds Wisely, President Jokowi Reminds

President Jokowi delivers a remarks in Enhancement of the Capacity of Village Administration and Village Community Institution of 2018, at Graha Pradipta JEC, Yogyakarta, Wednesday (25/7) (Photo: PR/Fitri)

Village funds is expected to bring equality to every region across Indonesia, and there will be no inequality between villages and cities, as well as regions in western, central, and eastern part of  Indonesia.

The statement was enunciated by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo in Enhancement of the Capacity of Village Administration and Village Community Institution of 2018, at Graha Pradipta JEC, Yogyakarta, Wednesday (25/7).

“Acceleration of village development will bring equality to all people, but (the funds) should be used on target. It must be aimed on target, do not miss. Village funds must not be used on small unimportant things, or we cannot feel the result,” the President added.

Therefore, President Jokowi instructed the Government to be focus, for example in developing road infrastructure in the village in the first year, and developing other infrastructure in the upcoming years.

According to the President, the Government also implements the same method in using the State Budget (APBN), that is to be focus on infrastructures. “When it is done, we will enter the second phase, namely investment on human resources. Once it is done, we will start other phases. The village must also adopt that way of work,” President Jokowi added.

The village funds will become our national economic pillar if it can be used on target, so competitiveness and the economy in the village can improve.

“Village funds that is circulated will also accelerate economic development at the lowest level of the village. For example, good irrigation, production, and access road to the village will lead to food stability,” the President added.

Once infrastructure development is completed, the President added, you can develop other sectors for example health, and sanitation. “I noticed that South Sumatra Province has already done that. Toilets were built because several households did not own it,” the President said.

Besides giving instruction regarding the village funds, President Jokowi also listened to the complaints of village heads on budget spending report (SPJ).

Yamsudi, one of the participants who came from Temanggung, told the President that the problem of SPJ is a lot of documents and details required.

“I will warn Minister of Finance to simplify the documents needed because it is complicated for village heads. Make it simple,” the President asserted.

Another participant who came from Klaten, Hari Wibowo, said that another problem in writing a spending report is tax issue because most of people living in rural areas do not have tax identification numbers (NPWP). In addition to that, there are differences between estimated budget and real spending which make it complicated when the figures must be input in the report.

“The third issue is a lot of details must be included in the appendix that requires a sum of money for bindery and fotocopy which in most cases there are no budget allocated for that. The fourth is sudden demand from residents,” Hari told the President.

Upon listening to their complaints, President Jokowi asserted that village heads have a duty to explain everything to their people. That is the responsibility of a leader, even though people sometimes curse or shout at the leaders.

“Do you understand me now? It is indeed a hard task. I will talk about it later,” President told the participants.

At the end of his remarks, the Head of State reminded the people to be careful in using the village funds and do not cause any trouble for village heads.

“I called on all of you to be cautious, be careful. It can be beneficial for people living in villages and rural areas but remember it can also create trouble if you do not use it wisely because you will deal with the law,” the President firmly said.

On that occasion, President Jokowi admitted that he do not want everyone attending this event have to deal with law enforcerment officers. He believes with good administration, plan, allocation, implementation, and report, as well as with a more simple reporting, it will ease the recipients of the village funds.

“Once again, this year and next year will be our political year. I instruct all village heads to, once again, maintain the unity, and sense of brotherhood,” President Jokowi concluded.

Also accompanying President Jokowi in the event were Minister of Home Affairs Tjahjo Kumolo, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Minister of Villages, Disadvantaged Regions and Transmigration Eko Putro Sandjojo, and Governor of Special Region of Yogyakarta Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X. (DNA/EN) (RAS/MMB/Naster)