'House must control govt budget'<\/p>\n
Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Amid the current weak condition of state finances, it is the
\nHouse of Representatives that ought to be playing the crucial
\nrole in making sure that all government spending plans are
\nproportional, legislators have said.<\/p>\n
Aside from enacting laws and monitoring the government, the
\nHouse also has power over disbursement of state funds.<\/p>\n
This role needs to be urgently filled as the government is
\nstruggling to cover higher expenditures due to rocketing fuel
\nsubsidies and health service costs, while allocating little to
\neducation and poverty eradication programs.<\/p>\n
The nation's weak financial condition also became a stumbling
\nblock for recently proposed increases in allowances for House
\nmembers.<\/p>\n
Such a role has become essential, they said, most importantly
\nto minimize corruption and ineffective spending in all government
\nministries and institutions.<\/p>\n
"Rather than solving the problems later on after corruption
\nhas taken place, it's better to prevent it. All funds for the
\ngovernment must go through deliberation with the House first, and
\nthis is where we must come in comprehensively," said legislator
\nSuryama M. Sastra.<\/p>\n
Ministries have to consult with House commissions about their
\nproposed budgets before seeking approval from the House budgetary
\ncommittee. All these discussions, however, are closed to the
\npublic.<\/p>\n
On many occasions, ministries do not detail items in their
\nproposals, leaving the execution of programs prone to abuse in
\nthe forms of different or overlapping allocations, as well as
\ncorruption.<\/p>\n
"It's called the devil in the detail, and House commissions
\nare also part of this problem. All House members must use their
\nrights to request details from their executive partners," said
\nSuryama, who sits on the House domestic affairs body.<\/p>\n
This was where the provision of expert staff for House members
\nbecame crucial because most of them have little knowledge of
\naccounting and budget formulation, he said.<\/p>\n
"We have some 200 advisory employees here to assist all 11
\nHouse commissions, 10 factions, working committees and House
\nleadership. Is it adequate? We're not even sure about their
\nqualifications," said Suryama.<\/p>\n
Regarding closed-door sessions, he said they should be open to
\npublic most of the time if the House wished to show its goodwill
\nin allowing public participation.<\/p>\n
Similar comments were also raised by House budgetary committee
\ndeputy Bursah Zarnubi, who said that many procurements by
\ngovernment institutions could actually be downsized and made more
\nefficient.<\/p>\n
"I did a little research and found that mark-ups -- up to
\neight times -- and inefficiency are common. Procedures for
\nprocuring goods are complicated to allow ministries to directly
\nappoint firms. Sometimes, they process it too late so they have
\nto pay extra money because of the immediate need," said Bursah.<\/p>\n
"Another example, I just found out that the House secretariat
\ngeneral rents a pot of flowers for Rp 30,000 (some US$3) every
\nmonth. How ridiculous is that?" he said.<\/p>\n
Bursah said the government needed to issue a regulation to
\nensure efficiency if it wanted to pursue a sound and efficient
\nbudget.<\/p>\n
Vocal legislator Djoko Susilo said the government, as well as
\nHouse members, should be able to slash many expenses.<\/p>\n
"Why not fly economy class? Why not minimize entourages during
\ntrips? Why not stay in less expensive hotels? Why not take back
\nunnecessary representatives abroad, which cost us billions of
\nrupiah monthly?" he argued.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/house-must-control-govt-budget-1447893297",
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