MPR Holds National Dialogue in Riau, Discusses Regional Bonds

The People’s Consultative Assembly of the Republic of Indonesia (MPR RI) has continued its National Dialogue agenda in Pekanbaru, Riau. The National Dialogue was titled ‘Regional Bonds as an Alternative for Regional Financing and a Public Investment Instrument’. The forum specifically discussed various perspectives on regional bonds, ranging from policy aspects, financing, implementation opportunities in Indonesia, and their potential as public investment instruments. Chairman of the Golkar Party Faction and Chairman of the MPR RI Budget Committee, Melchias Markus Mekeng, stated that the nation’s founders designed the country to be self-reliant, and therefore each region is also asked to prepare a concept of regional independence in development. ‘We from the Golkar Party Faction see that development must continue. Even if the budget is unavailable, development must still proceed. So with regional bonds, local governments must think,’ said Mekeng. Mekeng assessed that all regions have the potential to issue regional bonds in an orderly manner. In fact, regional heads must already be familiar with the procedures for bonds and also understand the requirements to obtain them. For this reason, a number of regional heads in Riau were told they must change their mindset, particularly regarding governance and mature planning. ‘Our mindset, with the changes in the state financial system, must be planned. You can create programmes, but the financing must be planned,’ he said. The event was attended by Chairman of the Golkar Party Faction and Chairman of the MPR RI Budget Committee Melchias Markus Mekeng, Director General of Regional Finance at the Ministry of Home Affairs Agus Fahri, and Acting Governor of Riau SF Hariyanto. In addition, a number of regents and mayors in Riau were also present. Former Riau Governors Syamsuar, Saleh Djasit, and Arsyadjuliandi Rachman were also in attendance. The forum was also participated in by academics and students from several universities in Riau.