DPR Commission XI Urges Regional Governments to Uphold Accountability in Public Fund Management

Commission XI Chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Mukhamad Misbakhun, has reminded regional governments, including the managers of municipally owned enterprises (BUMD) and regional public service agencies (BLUD), to be orderly in using and accounting for budgets in accordance with regulations. “The budget must manifest in services felt by the community. Good roads, education, health, social assistance, infrastructure development, and various other public services are tangible forms of state financial management,” Misbakhun stated in Jakarta on Monday. He made the remarks during a Socialisation of Accountability in State Financial Management and Responsibility event at the Gradhika Bhakti Praja Building in Pasuruan City, East Java, on Monday. He said the use of public budgets carries administrative, legal, and moral consequences, so every budget manager needs to understand the provisions from the planning stage through to accountability. According to him, the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) audit is not solely aimed at finding errors but also serves as an instrument to improve state financial governance. “The BPK is not a legal enforcer. The BPK is an institution given a constitutional mandate to ensure state financial accountability runs well. Therefore, we must view audits as an instrument to improve governance,” he said. The event was attended by heads of regional apparatus organisations (OPD), leaders of BUMD and BLUD, sub-district heads, and village chiefs throughout Pasuruan City. On the occasion, Misbakhun stressed the importance of compliance with standards and specifications in government procurement and project execution. “The thickness of asphalt, the class of iron, material specifications—all of these can be part of an audit. Therefore, do not consider small details unimportant. Small details in budget management can become major findings,” he said. Misbakhun encouraged regional officials to implement compliance from the outset so that corrections are not needed after audit findings emerge. He also noted that technological advancements mean BPK audits increasingly rely on systems and electronic data. “We must not view the State Budget (APBN), Regional Budget (APBD), or other budgets merely as figures. Within those figures lie the interests of the people. There are employee salaries, road construction, health services, education, social assistance, and various community needs,” he concluded.