Tito Continues to Oversee Ministry/Agency Budget Distribution for Post-Disaster Sumatra

The Minister of Home Affairs, Muhammad Tito Karnavian, continues to oversee the distribution and accelerated realisation of rehabilitation and reconstruction (rehab-rekon) budgets to the relevant ministries and agencies (K/L). This step is being taken to ensure that the budgets approved by the government can be immediately implemented as recovery programmes on the ground.

This was emphasised by the Head of the Task Force for the Acceleration of Post-Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (PRR) for Sumatra during a meeting regarding the progress of reconstruction efforts held at the PRR Task Force Command Post in Jakarta on Wednesday (2/9).

In a written statement from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Tito stated that accelerating budget distribution is a priority because the timeframe for programme implementation this year is becoming increasingly limited. The government has established budget support for Sumatra’s post-disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction, to be carried out in stages involving 33 ministries and agencies.

According to him, most of the primary ministries and agencies have received budget approval and have begun implementing programmes in the affected areas. However, there are still several agencies whose budgets have not yet been approved due to the need for more complete supporting documents and clearer programme details.

“Therefore, I ask the colleagues in charge (PIC) who have not yet received approval: your achievement lies in how you can get this passed by presenting convincing and complete documentation,” said Tito.

Tito requested that the PRR Task Force Command Post and the agency PICs coordinate intensively with the Ministry of Finance, specifically the Directorate General of Budget. Such coordination is necessary so that any obstacles in the submission process can be resolved immediately.

Tito also urged agencies that have already received their budget allocations to implement their programmes without delay. He mentioned several ongoing rehabilitation and reconstruction programmes, including those in the sectors of public works, education, health, marine and fisheries, agriculture, environment, religion, forestry, and the empowerment of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

In addition to overseeing agency budgets, the PRR Task Force will also ensure that budget support provided to local governments (Pemda) is utilised to address the impacts of the disaster.

The affected local governments previously received various additional budget supports, including Regional Transfers (TKD) amounting to IDR 10.6 trillion.

Tito emphasised that this additional budget must be directed towards meeting needs that cannot yet be reached by the central government.