Input for BPK

Input for BPK

The Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) is the high institution of
state which is charged with the task to auditing everything
related to the state finances so as to ensure that they will be
efficiently and transparently managed for the benefit of the
state and the majority of the people.

It is, therefore, only proper that the BPK set an example for
other state institutions in respect of financial management. In
this regard, the BPK must not only set an example by managing its
financial affairs efficiently and transparently, but must also
prove that it is free from corruption, collusion and nepotism.

In this context I would like to suggest the following to the
BPK:

1. By Oct. 1, 2000 at the latest, it should declare to the mass
media the assets owned by its chairman, deputy chairman,
officials and staff members (up to civil service grade IV), as
well as by their wives and children.

2. Luxury cars made available for office use should be returned
to the finance ministry and the BPK chairman and deputy chairman
be assigned a Kijang instead. The make of the cars allotted to
other staff members for official use should be adjusted in
accordance with their respective grades.

3. By the end of this month of September at the latest, the BPK
chairman should send an open letter to the top leadership of the
executive, judicial and legislative establishments as well as the
leadership of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) -- this
letter should then be passed on to all subordinate civil service
grades, that is to the level of sub-district/village head or
grade IV/section head level -- calling on all of them to declare
their assets as required by Law No. 28/1999 with Oct. 15, 2000
being set as the deadline.

4. The BPK chairman must thoroughly study the draft state budget
drawn up by the government before it is approved by the People's
Representative Assembly (DPR) to ensure that there will be no
wasteful spending. It may, for example, suggest slashing to a
minimum or even scrapping particular budget provisions for
internal expenses, transportation, entertainment, anniversary
celebrations, ceremonial and inauguration events. Budgeting
practices now are still the same as during the New Order era:
anything is put into the budget which the parties concerned think
they will be able to get away with. Such practices are not in
keeping with the present atmosphere of deep concern. Real efforts
must be made to scrap the facilities which legislators, both in
the DPR and in the regional legislative assemblies, are
accustomed to demanding, such as loans for the purchase of land
or houses or separation payments, because this spending is not
productive and will only burden the state budget.

5. The BPK chairman should require every minister to account for
the spending undertaken in their ministries every quarter. Actual
spending should be compared with the budget and any discrepancies
should be accounted for.

H. WISDARMANTO G.S.

Jakarta