Administration forced to tighten purse strings

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Due to the regional income being lower than expected this year, the city administration is preparing to be more thrifty in its spending in 2008.

"The proposed budget for next year is lower than the 2007 budget by Rp 679 billion ... However, I am optimistic we can boost the regional income next year," Governor Fauzi Bowo said Tuesday after submitting the proposed budget to the City Council.

The proposed budget for 2008 is Rp 20 trillion (approximately US$2.12 billion), or 3.28 percent lower than the 2007 budget, which was Rp 20.68 trillion.

In 2006, the city budget was Rp 17.99 trillion and in 2005 it was Rp 13.48 trillion.

Fauzi said the budget was expected to decrease in value next year due to the fact the city fell short of its projected income of Rp 18.65 trillion in 2007. He said at the end of the third quarter, the city administration's income for the year stood at only Rp 11.3 trillion, or 60.59 percent of the projected total.

Fauzi said the administration would take steps to increase its income next year and would reduce unnecessary expenditure as well as expand the role of the public and private sectors in budgeting and development.

He said to save money during the past few months, the administration had procured goods and services over the internet, which resulted in budgetary savings amounting to almost 15 percent.

"For example, if a project was worth Rp 1 billion, we could save up to Rp 150 million with online procurement," he said.

Fauzi said discussions regarding the budget were expected to be finalized by Jan. 15, after which the budget would be submitted to the Home Ministry for approval. He said it was likely the budget would be disbursed in February.

"We submitted the proposed budget late this year due to the gubernatorial election," he said.

City Council speaker Ade Surapriatna said the council realized the importance of speeding up discussions regarding the budget.

"We can schedule discussions for any time ... as it is important we finish the process quickly," Ade said.

Aside from revealing the administration's income plans for next year, the proposed budget also details several programs to be carried out, totaling some Rp 3.25 trillion.

The administration submitted 2007's proposed budget in November 2006. However, the budget was only finalized in April 2007, causing delays in salary payments for city employees and contractors. (tif)

The administration's proposed programs for 2008

• flood control: Rp 691 billion
• for East Flood Canal land acquirement Rp 400 billion
• for river clearances Rp 215 billion
• for dam clearances Rp 76 billion
• Improvements on busway corridor I - X Rp 142 billion
• preliminary development of MRT Rp 108 billion
• first phase of Pulogebang bus terminal construction Rp 25 billion
• development of roads/bridges to support West and East Primary Center: Rp 41 billion
• construction of low-cost apartments: Rp 257 billion
• school operational costs (elementary - high schools) Rp 1 trillion
• health services for the poor/disaster-affected families Rp 200 billion
• construction of two public health centers Rp 43 billion
  
• disease control Rp 10 billion and public health insurance Rp 2 billion
• improvement of transparency and accountability: Rp 5 billion (including for e-procurement and internet-based business permits)
• development of Old City tourism: Rp 18 billion
• air pollution and green space control: Rp 110 billion