"These are 10 largest provinces in amount of funds still left in banks. We begin by bringing everything to the open," the president said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) announced the names of ten largest provinces in amounts of budget funds still left idle in banks.

"These are 10 largest provinces in amount of funds still left in banks. We begin by bringing everything to the open," the president said when opening a coordination meeting of Region Inflation Control Team here on Thursday.

Jokowi said Jakarta still leads in the amount of budget fund kept unused in banks .

"Mr Ahok (Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama), has big fund and the funds lying idle in banks are also big at Rp13.9 trillion," Jokowi said.

The second largest is West Java with Rp8.034 trillion still unspent , followed by East Java Rp3.9 trillion, Riau Rp2.86 trillion, Papua Rp2.59 trillion, Central Java Rp2.46 trillion, East Kalimantan Rp1.57 trillion, Banten Rp1.52 trillion, Bali Rp1.4 trillion and Aceh Rp1.4 trillion.

The largest among regencies include Bogor with Rp1.9 trillion budget fund still unspent, followed by Bandung Rp1.6 trillion, Bekasi Rp1.5 trillion, Tanah Laut Rp1.3 trillion, Kediri Rp1.39 trillion, Berau Rp1.37 trillion, Nias Rp1.31 trillion.

Among mayoralty cities, Medan leads with Rp2.27 trillion of budget fund unspent, followed by Surabaya Rp1.85 trillion, Tangerang Rp1.36 trillion,Cimahi Rp1.52 trillion, Depok Rp1.31 trillion, Magelang Rp1.1 trillion, Tangerang Selatan Rp1.03 trillion, Serang Rp948 billion and Mojokerto 917 billion.

"These (the funds) have to be taken out of bank. They should be used immediately," Jokowi said.

The president, however, warned that the procedure has to be observed in taking out the fund from banks to be properly spent.

"Follow the procedure , dont just make the withdrawal," he said.

The president has repeatedly expressed frustration over the slow spending of the budget fund in the regions contributing to economic slowdown.

Observers said many regional administrations are over cautious in spending the budget funds for fear of being accused of misspending or criminalization.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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