Purbaya: Budget Discipline Maintained, Impactful Programmes Must Not Be Disrupted
Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa conducted a working visit to the Regional Office of the Directorate General of Treasury (Kanwil DJPb) of West Java Province in Bandung. The visit aimed to review budget management discipline and directly monitor the implementation of several national strategic programmes in the region.
In a written statement received in Jakarta on Monday (26/8), Purbaya emphasised the importance of budget discipline for all agencies. The Finance Minister paid particular attention to the planning of personnel expenditure so that it is carried out properly from the beginning of the year. This is intended to avoid the emergence of negative ceiling problems at the end of the fiscal year.
Purbaya also stressed that budget reallocations, especially those intended to cover personnel expenditure shortfalls, must not sacrifice programmes that have a direct impact on the public. Such policies are only permitted under highly urgent conditions.
Beyond the managerial aspects of budgeting, the Finance Minister reviewed the progress of strategic programmes such as Sekolah Rakyat and Koperasi Desa/Kelurahan Merah Putih (KDKMP). Based on data from Kanwil DJPb West Java, surveys have been conducted on 22 of the total 26 Sekolah Rakyat in West Java.
Monitoring results show that the schools are in good condition with complete facilities, including student uniforms, the use of smartboards in every classroom, and the provision of one laptop for each student. Despite these facility advantages, Purbaya assessed that the programme still lacks exposure.
“Sekolah Rakyat needs to be promoted more to the public. This programme has various advantages, but it still receives insufficient exposure,” said Purbaya. He asked local governments to improve communication so that the public better understands the benefits of the programme.
Regarding KDKMP, there are currently 5,970 units in West Java. Of the survey target of 147 units, 22 KDKMP have been verified, with results showing that several buildings have been completed.
The review also focused on the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme through the Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG). In West Java, there are 6,794 SPPG units, with survey realisation reaching 275 units, exceeding the initial target of 199 units.
Each SPPG unit has a production capacity of between 1,600 and 2,800 portions. The programme’s beneficiaries include students from early childhood education to upper secondary levels, toddlers, as well as pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. In general, the quality of the food is considered good and well received by the community.
To optimise oversight, the Finance Minister instructed the Directorate General of Treasury to develop an SPPG assessment index on a scale of 1 to 5. This index will serve as an instrument for measuring implementation quality as well as a tool for comparing SPPG performance across regions nationally.