Home Affairs Minister: Government to Strengthen Oversight and Optimise Special Autonomy Funds
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Home Affairs Minister Muhammad Tito Karnavian has emphasised that the government is prepared to strengthen oversight and optimise the implementation of Special Autonomy Funds (Otsus) in several regions.
“I also conveyed the situation regarding the special status of these regions under the law, what has been established, the institutions, regulations, the achievements of development from available macro data, and what we are doing to address those challenges,” the Minister stated in his remarks in Jakarta on Tuesday.
He delivered these points as conclusions from a Working Meeting and Hearing with Commission II of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) on discussions related to Otsus for Papua, Otsus for Aceh, and the special status of the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY).
The main focus of the discussion covered the distribution and management of Otsus funds in Papua and Aceh Province, as well as the Special Funds (Danais) in DIY.
He explained that several conclusions emerged from the meeting. First, Commission II of the DPR RI requested the government, particularly the Home Affairs Ministry, to strengthen oversight and guidance for the special regions discussed in the meeting to ensure more optimal and rapid development.
Second, Commission II of the DPR RI urged the central government to optimise the functions of the Papua Development Acceleration Agency to boost economic growth in the region.
Third, the government supports the continuation of Aceh’s Otsus funds. According to him, there is a proposal to extend this scheme, similar to that in Papua, with consideration for increasing the amount. This discussion needs to be conducted promptly, given that the current scheme’s validity period is nearing its end.
“We support the issue of the Special Autonomy budget in Aceh, which has been for 20 years. Starting from 2008, for 15 years it was two percent of the national General Allocation Fund (DAU). Then for the next five years, 2023-2027, it is one percent of the DAU national funds. This can be extended like in Papua,” he clarified.
Nevertheless, he stressed that this very much depends on the state’s financial capacity. Additionally, the uncertain global geopolitical situation is also a consideration.
On the other hand, Aceh also faces challenges due to ongoing natural disasters, such as floods and landslides in several areas. This condition further strengthens the urgency of budgetary support for accelerating recovery and development.
“Once again, all of this depends on the agreement between the government and the DPR later. Whether a revision to the Aceh Government Law is carried out, and everything very much depends on the state’s financial capacity,” he concluded.