Jokowi Urges Regional Heads to Accelerate Spending

jpnn.com, JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo has warned regional heads to speed up regional budget spending.

The former Jakarta governor said that he had coordinated with Finance Minister Sri Mulyani regarding the remaining regional funds.

Based on a report from the Ministry of Finance, there is still Rp 226 trillion of regional funds available, whereas previously it was Rp 170 trillion in October.

"I need to warn you. Why aren't we using our own money instead of chasing other people to get their money in? The logic doesn't work. We should spend our own money before looking for investors to come. That's the economic logic," Jokowi said during the 2021 National Coordination Meeting and Investment Service Award.

According to him, the amount of money that has not been spent is huge.

"It's Rp 226 trillion. It's huge! Spend it first, then we'll talk to investors," added the President.

The President also said that the state budget deficit had reached Rp 548 trillion.

"As much as Rp 642 trillion out of the state budget were transferred to provinces, regencies, and cities," he said.