North Sumatra Regional Budget 'Parking' At Banks, Jokowi Must Reprimand Medan Mayor Bobby Nasution

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo highlighted the minimal budget absorption in North Sumatra. This is because a lot of local government budget funds are still deposited in the bank. The President also reminded the Regional Government in North Sumatra to quickly realize the APBD funds.

President Jokowi was also asked to reprimand the regional head in that place. Including the Mayor of Medan Bobby Nasution who is also his son-in-law. Because, the APBD funds should not settle in the bank.

"Jokowi should have reprimanded Bobby Nasution more harshly. Because by settling the APBD in the bank, the economy in Medan will continue to slow down," said Esa Unggul University political communication observer M. Jamiluddin Ritonga in a statement, Friday, September 17.

Jamiluddin said that the case of the deposit of APBD in the bank was no longer a secret, in fact it seemed that it was not a violation.

Jokowi should also reprimand other parties related to this. "Therefore, the president must also strongly rebuke all ministries, governors, regents and mayors who do the same thing," he said. The reprimand, added Jamiluddin, needs to be done so that justice is served. The reason is, it is not appropriate for the APBN and APBD to be deposited in banks. "That way, such violations can be overcome," he said. Previously, the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo asked the Regional Government (Pemda) to immediately accelerate the absorption of the APBD budget in order to restore the economy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said that when giving a briefing to Forkopimda throughout North Sumatra in the Tengku Rizal Nurdin Hall, Jalan Sudirman Medan, Thursday, September 16. During the meeting, Jokowi mentioned the budget absorption in North Sumatra which is still very low.

"Immediately carry out the realization of the budget as soon as possible, so as to move the economy in the region," said Jokowi.

Jokowi said that the lack of budget absorption in North Sumatra was partly due to the large number of regional government budget funds that were still deposited in banks. The father-in-law of Medan Mayor Bobby Nasution reminded the local government to quickly realize the APBD funds.

"So don't spend too long (APBD) in the bank," he said in a meeting attended by the Governor of North Sumatra Edy Rahmayadi and the Deputy Governor of North Sumatra, Musa Rajeckshah and all Forkopimda throughout North Sumatra.

As is known, as of September 10, 2021, the realization of APBD funds in North Sumatra has only reached 55.2 percent.