DPRD: NTB Provincial Government in Arrears of IDR 500 Billion Debt to Contractors

MATARAM - The Provincial Government of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) is still in arrears on debts to contractors that cannot be paid in 2022, reaching IDR 500 billion.

"This debt is from the pure 2022 program, which includes the regular and main ideas of the NTB Regional House of Representatives (DRPD). The amount reaches IDR 500 billion", said Deputy Chairman of the NTB DPRD, Muzihir in Mataram, as reported by ANTARA, Wednesday, September 14.

Muzihir explained that all of the debt came from a physical program that had been completed. The total value of the program is IDR 500 billion and IDR 350 billion is the main idea of 65 members of the NTB DPRD.

"The work has been completed 100 percent, it just can't be paid", he explained.

According to him, initially, executives were able to start paying in installments this week. However, there are still dynamics between the executive and the legislature regarding the amount to be paid. The reason for paying for the entire project is pure 2022, said Muzihir, something that is very impossible.

"Some are asking to be paid 30 percent, some 40 percent, that's being studied. Considering the amount is not small", said Muzihir.

If you have found an agreement of 30 percent or IDR 150 billion, the NTB Provincial Government can pay according to the regional treasury. It is intended that in 2023 the provincial government will no longer have debt, so that the remaining 70 percent of the debt to be paid can be paid between January and February 2023.

"That's why at General Policy on Priority Budget for Temporary Budget Ceiling (KUA-PPAS). Even if there is a debt acknowledgment later, tomorrow the debt recognition will start to be calculated or paid from now on", he said.

"If the 30 percent is IDR 150 billion. The remaining IDR 350 billion will be paid in January or February but there is no need for a Regional Head Regulation. Later in the 2023 Regional Revenue and Expenditure Budget Plan (RAPBD), it will be admitted to debt", continued the member of the NTB DPRD from the electoral district (Dapil) of Mataram City.

Muzihir emphasized that in resolving this debt problem, his party avoided the 2021 experience where all debts settled in 2022 were not included in the debt recognition.

As a result, payments are made using Regional Head Regulation (Perkada) One. Where the debt in 2021 to be paid this year is IDR 165 billion. However, in the end, all of this was resolved.

Muzihir hopes that with the payment scheme, all parties, both executives and members of the NTB DPRD themselves, can put a brake on themselves. Reduce each program. On the other hand, if the provincial government still boasts about the program while the state budget is minimal, of course, this has the potential to create debt back.

"Including the main ideas 2023 quota. The council must be willing to accept less than usual. For all of us (reduced, ed)", he said.

Separately, the Chairperson of Commission III of the NTB DPRD for Finance and Banking, TGH Mahalli Fikri admitted that the 30 percent payment scheme this year and 70 percent in 2023 had been agreed upon by the executive and legislature.

"From the results of communication with TAPD including BPKAD, 70 percent of everything can be resolved in 2023. After 2023 we no longer have debts", he said.

What is the agreement between the two parties, Mahalli remains optimistic that it can work. As long as the provincial government is consistent, it doesn't play around with changes in the middle of the road, which may be due to the situation and conditions.

The NTB DPRD member from the West Lombok and North Lombok Regency electoral districts gave an example of an order for recovering from the center in the middle of the road, but because they were not obliged to ask for the council's opinion, the change was made immediately.

"That's what causes financial conditions to fluctuate. If that doesn't happen again and the executive is consistent with the results of the agreement with the DPRD. God willing, Zul-Rohmi will not leave debts", Mahalli said.

Mahalli, as for the 70 percent payment that was made with an addendum (changed back) to cooperation contracts with third parties in several activity programs.

"After this amendment is in the APBD, a minimum of 30 percent is paid. The rest is in the addendum and charged to the next APBD", he explained.

In addition, he hopes that both the provincial government and the legislature can be smarter. Executives can be more innovative in seeking additional sources of PAD. This is to anticipate the occurrence of unwanted natural disasters.

Mahalli believes that if the NTB Provincial Government's asset affairs in Gili Trawangan can be completed soon, these assets can quickly generate PAD of up to IDR 150 billion. Currently, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and several other officials are assisting in the completion of the cooperation.

The potential income is if the cooperation is carried out with the local community, it is no longer with a third party.

"If it can be approved, it is agreed that it does not violate the law, in fact, there will be no problems, instead we will quickly get IDR 150 billion", he said.

Next, in the internal council itself, Mahalli hopes that Bapemperda will no longer make regulations that require a budget. On the other hand, a local regulation must be made that can bring in money.

"I will always say to Regional Regulation Establishment Agency (Bapemperda) not to make too many regional regulations because they need money, but for regional regulations how to make money", he said.