Meeting At IKN, Jokowi Alludes To Large Budget Regency But The Program Is Unclear

President Joko Widodo gave directions to hundreds of regional heads at the State Palace of IKN, East Kalimantan, Tuesday (13/8/2024). BETWEEN Dwi Gayati

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) highlighted that there are districts with large budgets, but have unclear programs.

"There are districts whose budgets are very large, but the direction of the program is not clear," said Jokowi at the President's briefing to regional heads throughout Indonesia which took place at the State Palace of IKN, East Kalimantan (Kaltim), Tuesday, August 13, was confiscated by Antara.

Jokowi mentioned that the budget is widely used for grants that lead to politics.

Jokowi is of the view that if the budget is directed at a program that is more appropriate and oriented towards the public interest, the local government could build facilities related to education and health.

"Even if it can be directed, it can be a hospital, 10 can be done, universities can," said Jokowi.

Therefore, the President ordered the governor to direct programs in the regions so that they could be in line with the central government.

Especially, he continued, so that the planned programs can have an impact on the community, as well as encourage cooperation between regions.

"So, one problem, such as garbage matters, can be lifted by 1, 2, 3 regions, so that it can be more mitigating," said Jokowi.

The President reminded that the governor is the spearhead of the link between the region and the center.

He asked the governor, as representatives of the central government in the regions, to understand the priority scale and direction of the central government's policies.

"So that it can oversee, monitor the regents and mayors so that the regions can be in line and in line with the central government," he said.

Especially, he continued, which relates to strategic development priorities.

"Don't let the central government go north, the region to the south," said Jokowi.