Finance Minister: Additional Regional Transfer Funds Calculated, Awaiting Presidential Directive

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has revealed that the additional Regional Transfer Funds (TKD) have been calculated by the central government, and the next steps are now awaiting direction from President Prabowo Subianto.

“We have calculated the approximate amount of the required additional funds; we are now waiting for the President’s direction,” said the Finance Minister when responding to journalists’ questions at the Indonesian Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Friday.

Consequently, Purbante is not yet able to disclose the specific details regarding the amount of the additional TKD, as he must first report the figures to the President.

“I will meet with the President; if he agrees, we will announce it, if not… it is entirely the President’s decision. Therefore, I am awaiting his instructions,” Purbaya stated.

Nevertheless, Purbaya is confident that the amount of additional regional funds calculated by his ministry is sufficient to cover the budget deficits experienced by several local governments. However, he could not specify the exact number of regions that will receive the additional funds, although when questioned by journalists on Tuesday (28/7), Purbaya mentioned that approximately 490 regions could potentially receive the boost.

“Did I say that? (that 490 regions could potentially receive additional funds). Yes, around that figure. This still needs to be clarified and finalised on paper,” said Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa.

Regarding the budgetary difficulties faced by certain regions, the central government is moving swiftly to ensure that additional funds can be promptly received by those in need. The Minister of Home Affairs, Tito Karnavian, met with Finance Minister Purbaya at the Ministry of Finance office earlier this week to discuss the disbursement of revenue-sharing funds (DBH) and the increase in regional transfer funds.

During his meeting with Purbaya, Tito mentioned that he had identified the regions that urgently require additional funding. On the same occasion, Tito also emphasised that the government has instructed local authorities not to lay off contract employees or withhold salaries. This is because Tito believes there are still efficiency measures that can be implemented by local governments. He noted that while some regions claim budget shortages, audits of their expenditure reports reveal excessive operational and maintenance costs.