Mahinda Arkyasa

The Ministry of Finance is encouraging other ministries and government institutions (institutions) to accelerate the disbursement of State Budget funds. As of mid-2012, only 31.98% of funds had been disbursed.

Minister of Finance Agus Martowardojo stated that several ministries and institutions need to evaluate their preparation and disbursement plans and to accelerate the procurement of goods and services.

“Some ministries and institutions are underprepared. This condition contributes to delays in procurement,” he said.

Although the Ministry of Finance prepared the expenditures budget in accordance with the State Budget, the funds cannot be disbursed without proper procedures and administration, Agus pointed out.

Compared to the same time last year, this year’s rate of spending has improved. However, further “economic improvement can be achieved by accelerating budget disbursement,” he stated.

Previously, the Evaluation and Supervision Team for Budget Disbursement (Tim Evaluasi dan Pengawasan Penyerapan Anggaran – TEPPA) admonished the ministries and institutions to accelerate disbursement of funds.

“31.98% is below average, because the rate of budget disbursement by mid-2012 should be 50%,” said Kuntoro Mangkusubroto, Chairman of TEPPA and Head of the Presidential Work Unit for Development Supervision and Control (UKP4).

Kuntoro stated that the amount of 2011 State Budget funds disbursed, 87%, was the lowest of the past three years.

Kuntoro hopes that ministries and institutions will improve their performance and accountability by the end of the year.

(am/jt/hot)