DPD reminds that the reduction of regional transfers should not interfere with schools and health services

JAKARTA - The Chairman of the Indonesian DPD, Sultan Bachtiar Najamudin, reminded that the policy of adjusting transfer funds from the central government to the regions must consider the ability of the regions to finance basic services.

The warning was conveyed by the Sultan in the Annual Meeting of the MPR and the Joint Meeting of the DPR and DPD at the Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Friday, August 14.

According to the Sultan, education, health, and infrastructure should not be disrupted when the government makes adjustments to transfers to the regions.

"The policy of adjusting transfer funds to regions must still consider the needs and capabilities of regions in providing basic services such as education, health, and infrastructure," said the Sultan.

He emphasized that the transfer fund was not just about the distribution of the budget between the central and regional governments.

"Transfer funds to regions are not merely budget allocations, but instruments for economic growth and equitable development," he said.

Sultan said the central government has allocated a large amount of spending to districts and villages through various priority programs.

On the other hand, local governments are also asked not to rely solely on central transfers. The Sultan encouraged the region to improve revenue, spending effectiveness, and the quality of development planning.

According to Sultan, national development must really be felt down to the district, city, sub-district, and village levels.

DPD also asked for development to reach small islands, border areas, as well as the outermost and most backward areas.