Jokowi Highlights APBD Realization, Gubsu Edy Claims North Sumatra's Budget Absorption Has Reached 72.9 Percent

North Sumatra Governor Edy Rahmayadi (PHOTO VIA ANTARA)

MEDAN - The North Sumatra Provincial Government's budget absorption until the end of November 2021 is claimed to have reached 72.9 percent and ranks eighth nationally.

"Currently North Sumatra is number eight in the absorption of budgets from 34 provinces in Indonesia. It's 72.9 percent," said North Sumatra Governor Edy Rahmayadi after the Financial Management Assistance Meeting Related to the Acceleration of Budget Absorption and PPKM Evaluation in Medan, quoted by Antara, Monday, November 29.

Gubsu Edy said the absorption of the North Sumatran budget until November 2021 was higher than the realization of the budget in 2020 which only reached 55 percent.

"Last year we were in position 20 at the end of the year with an absorption of 50 percent, now we have increased to position eight with 72.9 percent. There is an increase of about 22 percent," he said.

He encouraged each local government in North Sumatra Province to boost budget absorption until December 2021.

"This year is definitely better than last year. We will optimize it because if it is not absorbed at the end of this year, it means that the money will be returned to the state," he said.

Meanwhile, according to the North Sumatra Police Chief Inspector General Panca Putra Simanjuntak, the absorption of local government budgets must still comply with applicable regulations.

Therefore, he said, it is necessary to strengthen the role of the National Economic Handling Task Force (PEN) consisting of the inspectorate, APH, and BPKP to accelerate budget absorption and prevent irregularities.

"Regents or mayors need to play an active role in budget acceleration. We will encourage it because the 2021 fiscal year is only one month away. That way we hope there will be no deviations because we are working on it together," said the Kapolda.

Previously reported, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) ordered ministers, heads of institutions, and local governments to accelerate the realization of the APBN and APBD in order to provide economic stimulus for the community.

"It's already November 2021, it's already December. Accelerate the realization of APBN and APBD. The state budget means that ministries/agencies must concentrate on accelerating the realization," said President Jokowi in a plenary cabinet meeting at the presidential office, quoted by Antara, Wednesday, November 17.

The President also asked the Minister of Home Affairs (Mendagri) Tito Karnavian to pay close attention to the realization of the APBD. The Minister of Home Affairs must emphasize to regional heads that the realization of the APBD is very important to grow economic activities, especially in the regions.

"The Minister of Home Affairs has also given attention to the APBD, which has a small budget absorption. Emphasize to them that this APBD is important for our economic growth," Jokowi said.