Tala Regent prioritises public services amid regional fiscal pressures
The Regent of Tanah Laut (Tala), South Kalimantan, has requested all regional apparatus to prioritise services to the community amid fiscal pressures that could affect the local government’s financial capacity. The directive was delivered by Regent H. Rahmat Trianto during a coordination meeting for officials across Tanah Laut Regency. This initiative is a step towards formulating strategies to address budgetary challenges without reducing the quality of public services.
Rahmat Trianto stated in Pelaihari on Tuesday that the local government must anticipate a potential reduction in fiscal capacity, a situation already experienced by several other regions, necessitating a collective effort to maintain the continuity of government administration. “Currently, there are around 39 regency governments that are unable to make payments to our colleagues, the PPPK members. Some are even no longer receiving their TPP. Could we be affected like that? Very possibly. That is why it is important for us to find a solution together,” he said.
He noted that this condition serves as a warning for all regional apparatus organisations to be more meticulous in planning programmes and utilising budgets, ensuring they genuinely benefit the community. Rahmat emphasised that efficiency measures are unavoidable, particularly regarding spending that does not directly impact the improvement of public services or the achievement of regional development targets.
“Like it or not, some things must be sacrificed, whether it is official travel or ceremonial activities,” Rahmat said. Beyond efficiency, he urged all civil servants to understand their respective duties and functions so that every programme implemented has a clear direction, is measurable, and supports the performance of the local government. He believes that a clear understanding of core tasks and functions is a crucial factor in enabling regional apparatus to work more effectively, avoid overlapping tasks, and produce policies that are on target despite budget limitations. He also called on all ranks to strengthen synergy to maintain regional financial stability and ensure that services to the community continue to run optimally.