The Yogyakarta Provincial Government Asks The Ministry Of Finance, Can Privilege Funds Be Used To Handle COVID-19

ILLUSTRATION/UNSPLASH

YOGYAKARTA - The Yogyakarta Special Region Government will request confirmation from the Ministry of Finance regarding the use of special funds (danais) for handling COVID-19.

The Regional Secretary (Sekda) of DIY Kadarmanta Baskara Aji at the Kepatihan complex, Yogyakarta, said he would ask the Ministry of Finance for certainty regarding the use of funds other than the five special matters according to Law Number 13 of 2021 concerning the privileges of DIY.

"We want to confirm with the Ministry of Finance whether it is permissible to leave the five matters. It is possible (for) handling COVID but still in the five matters," he said, quoted by Antara, Monday, July 12.

Previously, a letter with the head of the Ministry of Finance (Kemenkeu) circulated on social media containing the Ministry of Finance's permission to the Regional Government to utilize funds for the prevention and handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the letter numbered S-121/PK/2021 dated July 10, 2021, signed by the Director General of Fiscal Balance of the Ministry of Finance, Astera Primanto Bhakti, it contains three points.

First, it is stated that funds originating from the APBN are allocated to fund the Special Authority and are part of the Transfer to Regions and Village Funds (TKDD).

Second, in the context of accelerating the prevention and/or handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, privilege funds can be used to fund the prevention and/or handling of the pandemic. The use of the Privilege Fund is carried out through changes to the planned use of the FY 2021 Privilege Fund.

Third, the legal basis for the use of funds for the prevention and/or handling of the COVID-19 pandemic is explained which is regulated in Minister of Finance Regulation number 17/PMK.07/2021 concerning the Management of Transfers to Regions and 2021 Village Funds in order to support the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts. .

"There is no official letter sent to us yet. But we have received the letter via social media. Yes, we will guide it later, we will carry it out," said Baskara Aji.

Baskara said that the use of funds for handling COVID-19 has been carried out since 2020. However, the scope of its use refers to five special matters according to the Special DIY Law which include procedures for filling in the positions, positions, duties, and authorities of the Governor and Deputy Governor; the two DIY Regional Government institutions; third culture; fourth land; and the fifth layout.

"Actually, since this year, we have used the funds for handling COVID-19 as well. It is more towards the actual economic recovery," said Basrkara.

If funds can be used outside of these five matters, then the DIY Regional Government has the legal umbrella to disburse funds for the direct handling of COVID-19, including the establishment of the COVID-19 Handling Task Force at the RT to Hamlet levels.

"This is what we have to confirm with the center. If indeed this may not be in accordance with the five authorities, it means we have to make changes to the proposal," said Baskara.