Finance Minister Stresses Budget Discipline and Monitors National Strategic Programmes in West Java
Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has reviewed budget management discipline and the implementation of national strategic programmes in West Java.
The review was conducted during a visit to the Regional Office of the Directorate General of Treasury (Kanwil DJPb) of West Java Province in Bandung. In a written statement received in Jakarta on Monday (24/8), Purbaya stressed the importance of budget discipline.
The Finance Minister paid particular attention to personnel expenditure, urging that it be planned accurately from the outset so as not to create ceiling problems (negative ceilings) at the end of the year.
In addition, budget reallocations, particularly those intended to cover shortfalls in personnel expenditure, were emphasised not to sacrifice programmes that have a direct impact on the public, except under very urgent circumstances.
Furthermore, Purbaya reviewed the progress of several national strategic programmes in West Java, including Sekolah Rakyat (People’s Schools), Koperasi Desa/Kelurahan Merah Putih (KDKMP), and the Nutritional Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG) under the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme.
For Sekolah Rakyat, the West Java Kanwil DJPb has surveyed 22 of the total 26 Sekolah Rakyat in West Java. In general, the condition of the schools was assessed as good with complete facilities, including uniforms for students. In the learning process, each classroom has been equipped with a smartboard and each student receives one laptop.
The Finance Minister assessed that the Sekolah Rakyat programme has various advantages and therefore needs to be better known to the public. “Sekolah Rakyat needs to be promoted more to the public. This programme has various advantages, but still lacks exposure,” said Purbaya.
He asked local governments to improve communication and promotion so that the public better understands the benefits and advantages of the programme.
Furthermore, in West Java there are 5,970 KDKMP with a survey target of 147 KDKMP. To date, surveys have been conducted on 22 KDKMP. Monitoring results show that several KDKMP have been completed.
As for SPPG, in West Java there are 6,794 units with a survey target of 199 SPPG. To date, survey realisation has reached 275 SPPG. SPPG capacity ranges from 1,600 to 2,800 portions, with beneficiaries including students from early childhood education (PAUD) up to senior high school and equivalent levels, toddlers, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers.
In general, the quality of food provided by SPPG in West Java was assessed as good and acceptable to beneficiaries. The Finance Minister asked the Directorate General of Treasury to develop an SPPG assessment index with a clear scale in each region, for example a scale of 1 to 5.
The index is expected to serve as an instrument to measure the level of acceptance and quality of SPPG implementation, as well as to compare SPPG performance across regions nationally.