Efficiency put forward in drafting 2006's budget<\/p>\n
Muninggar Sri Saraswati and Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The current inefficiency in governmental institutions --
\nministries, state agencies and local administrations -- has put
\nunacceptable burdens on the state budget.<\/p>\n
Concerning this matter, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
\nsaid in a speech before governors and high-ranking bureaucrats at
\nthe State Palace on Wednesday that officials should put more
\nemphasis on efficiency when proposing routine and development
\nexpenditures for next year's budget.<\/p>\n
\"We have to examine the efficiency of the programs proposed
\nfor the upcoming 2006 state budget. I hope all governors (and
\nofficials) comply with regulations on state finance so that the
\nbudget will be more efficient and accountable,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Susilo emphasized that understanding the regulations would
\nhelp governors and bureaucrats avoid \"gray\" areas when drafting
\ndevelopment programs and budgets, and thus prevent financial
\nabuses.<\/p>\n
\"Please, study the regulations comprehensively when drafting
\nbudgets as it will keep you away from trouble in the future. The
\nrules were made to ensure that you are accountable for state
\nexpenditure,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Governors from the country's 33 provinces gathered in the
\ncapital for a three-day meeting with State Minister of National
\nDevelopment Planning Sri Mulyani Indrawati and state officials in
\norder to draft development and routine programs for 2006.<\/p>\n
The programs will be used to draft the 2006 state budget
\nbefore being submitted to the House of Representatives for
\ndeliberation in August. The agreed programs will also be used by
\ngovernors to draft their own provincial budgets.<\/p>\n
Susilo hoped the draft state budget would be endorsed in
\nOctober. The implementation of the budget is expected to start on
\nJan. 1, 2006.<\/p>\n
Previous state and provincial budgets have demonstrated that
\nboth the central government and local administrations have
\nignored efficiency, as reflected in the gradually increase in
\nroutine expenditures every year. Routine expenditures include
\nsuch things as civil servants salaries, operational equipment and
\ninterest on debts.<\/p>\n
At the meeting, Susilo also urged governors to be more focused
\non serving the interests of the private sector next year in a bid
\nto help boost regional economic activity, which was badly needed
\nin order to help absorb manpower and reduce unemployment.<\/p>\n
\"Governors should give priority to job creation when
\ndeveloping their regional economies, as well as taking an
\ninternational perspective to attract foreign investors,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Since the enactment of the autonomy law, many provincial
\nadministrations have imposed various taxes on the business sector
\nin an effort to generate revenue for the province.<\/p>\n
But many of these policies backfired because they effectively
\ndiscouraged investment and contributed to Indonesia's high-cost
\neconomy.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/efficiency-put-forward-in-drafting-2006s-budget-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}