JAKARTA - The Cilegon City Government together with the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) continue to strengthen their commitment to creating transparent, accountable, and community welfare management. This step is part of a joint effort to create a clean and reliable government.
In the report on the results of the performance examination of the management of the Regional Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBD) from 2023 to October 2024, the Cilegon City Government managed to maintain the opinion of the WTP (Unqualified Without Exception). This achievement complements the records of the Cilegon City Government which has won WTP eleven consecutive times until 2024.
The WTP predicate from the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) shows financial reports that meet accounting standards, are free of material wrong, and provide a reasonable picture of financial conditions. In the tradition of Indonesian bureaucracy, the WTP opinion is a symbol of the perfection and credibility of government financial reporting.
Acting Head of the Regional Development Planning Agency (Bappeda Litbang) of Cilegon City, Syafrudin, said that transparency in budget management is a top priority.
"We ensure that every budget decision taken is based on the principles of transparency, accountability, and of course for the benefit of the community," he said, in a written statement, Sunday, January 12.
The city of Cilegon, like many other regions in Indonesia, faces the challenge of a budget deficit. However, Syafrudin emphasized that this condition is temporary and is in the final stage.
"We are committed to resolving this issue in stages without reducing the quality of public services," he added.
According to Maman Mauludin, the Regional Secretary of the Cilegon City Government, the city government already has a formula and technical method to complete payment obligations to third parties, which is planned to be implemented in February 2025.
Referring to a circular from the Ministry of Home Affairs, in the event that the Cilegon City Government's revenue is not achieved, there are several appeals, one of which is related to grants and other social assistance, based on the availability of the budget. This step aims to maintain regional financial stability without sacrificing services to the community.
Hasbi Sidik, the former deputy chairman of the Banten Provincial DPRD, said that the budget deficit was not only a local issue, but also a national one.
"Collaboration between local governments and BPK is an important step to create efficiency and effectiveness in the use of the budget," he said.
The collaboration between BPK, Cilegon City Government, and the community resulted in various breakthroughs, such as rescheduling development priorities and increasing budget efficiency without reducing program benefits for the community.
The effectiveness of using the budget is crucial points. Every rupiah issued must really bring maximum benefits to the community," said a regional financial expert.
With a commitment to transparency and accountability, the City of Cilegon continues to show that the budget challenge can be changed to an opportunity to improve public services.
"We believe that the disclosure of information and public participation is the key to a clean and professional government. The Cilegon City Government will continue to work hard to ensure that every budget is used as efficiently as possible for the sake of mutual welfare," concluded Syafrudin.
These steps are expected not only to strengthen financial governance in Cilegon City, but also to be an inspiration for other regions in Indonesia in realizing a transparent and responsible government.
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