Anton Hermansyah, Jakarta – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has criticized governors, mayors, and regents for failing to make progressive budgetary allocations and for their lack of seriousness in attending to those projects that were in the public's best interest.
Jokowi, a former Jakarta governor and Surakarta mayor, suggested how regional heads might reallocate their budgets.
"Allocate an extra budget [for renovating traditional markets], and you will leave behind a good legacy," the President said on Tuesday, during a meeting with regional heads at the State Palace.
He said that although regional budgets involved larger funds today, their composition had not changed over the years.
The President said that regional heads needed to be prepared to risk opposition from legislative councils on proposed budgetary allocations, because certain councilors might expect "extra funds" from the allocations they approved.
"Each commission in the regional legislative council might ask for some billions of rupiah. It is your job to control them. If you cannot, it means that you are not strong enough," he said.
Making progressive allocations in the budget, Jokowi added, would enable the regions to finish their various infrastructure projects faster. (bbn)