Jokowi Orders Regional Heads To Immediately Realize The APBD, Maintain People's Purchasing Power

President Jokowi (Photo: dock. Antara)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) appealed to every regional head to maintain the purchasing power of people in each region led by them.

Jokowi requested that people's purchasing power be maintained by regional heads by immediately realizing the regional revenue and expenditure budget (APBD).

Moreover, the President highlighted the low realization of spending in regencies/cities which has only reached 31 percent. Meanwhile, at the provincial level, it has only reached 41 percent.

This was conveyed by Jokowi when gathering governors, regents, mayors at the Garuda Palace, the capital city of Nusantara (IKN), East Kalimantan, today.

"Please maintain people's purchasing power, with what? Immediately realize the APBD. As soon as possible to realize the APBD. Because until now the realization of spending in regencies/cities is still at 31 percent, very small," said Jokowi when giving directions quoted from the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube, Tuesday, August 13.

The former governor of DKI Jakarta also regretted that the condition of money circulating at the district level was still very low.

According to him, the circulation of low money means that people's purchasing power is weak.

The former Mayor of Surakarta also revealed that the realization of revenue in regencies/cities has only reached 38 percent, while in the province it is 49 percent.

"Immediately spend it, this is still 31 percent of the realization of spending. Provinces are 41 percent better, but also small. Please check and push again so that the money in the APBD will immediately circulate in the community. So, the circulation of money in districts, cities and provinces is getting better," he said.

Furthermore, Jokowi also highlighted inflation. According to him, so far every regional government (Pemda), both governors, regents and mayors, can maintain inflation in a very good position.

When compared to other countries, Indonesia can maintain its inflation well. "(Inflation) was last at 2.13 percent. Previously, it was 2.58 percent. Very good," he added.