Govt pays more attention on public services, civil servants
Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
With the intention of improving the people's welfare, the government is to increase next year's budgets for ministries and state agencies that provide the basic public services of education, security, health and infrastructure, as well as to increase civil servants' basic salaries.
The government, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono outlined in his presentation of the 2006 state budget draft before a House of Representatives plenary session on Tuesday, would also allocate more funds for the country's regions in line with the regional autonomy policy.
Susilo said that several ministries -- namely the education ministry, the National Police, the defense ministry, the health ministry and the public works ministry -- would have a relatively larger budget ceiling to finance their strategic operational and non-operational activities than those of this year's.
Realizing the importance of the ministry of national education in the development of the country's human resources, some Rp 31.5 trillion has been set aside for the ministry next year, a nearly 21 percent increase from this year's budget allocation.
To enhance national security, the government will increase its budget for the National Police by nearly 18 percent to Rp 13.2 trillion next year -- allocated for programs not only to improve police facilities and equipment, but to also improve the quality of officers through training and education.
For defense, Susilo, who is a retired Army general, mentioned that the ministry of defense would get 7 percent more in its budget, totaling Rp 23.6 trillion.
Public health services were also of concern to Susilo, as he set aside Rp 11.5 trillion for the Ministry of Health, a rise of 4.5 percent as compared to last year.
"It will be used to continue the free health services for the poor, enhance the service quality, prevent and eradicate diseases and improve people's nutrition," he said.
The ministry of public works will also receive as much as the National Police -- Rp 13.2 trillion -- although the funds, which will be used for the building and maintenance of roads, bridges and irrigation canals, as well as flood control and coastal security programs, will actually be a decrease from this year's budget allocation of Rp 18.5 trillion.
The government is also planning to give a salary increase of between 5 to 20 percent and a yearly bonus of a month's pay to civil servants , military and police officers, with a priority given to the lower group of staff.
Ministry of Finance Jusuf Anwar said after the President's address that the plan was intended to improve the welfare of state staff members amid a lately rising trend in inflation, as well as to create a more just salary structure.
"With the scheme, the monthly pay of the lowest ranking civil servant will be at least Rp 1 million, excluding the yearly bonus," he said.
Susilo further said the government would disburse more funds to the regions in line with regional autonomy, set at Rp 184.2 trillion next year, or a 24 percent increase from this year's budget.
The funds will consist of Rp 126.2 trillion in general allocation funds, Rp 49.3 trillion in revenue sharing, Rp 5.5 trillion in special allocation funds and Rp 3.1 trillion in special autonomy and adjustment funds.
"The regional autonomy is the government's response to regional aspirations expecting more participation and independence in providing public service and regional development. I expect the funds will be used in the most beneficial manner," Susilo said.