Yustinus Paat, Jakarta – Gubernatorial candidate Pramono Anung has proposed using Jakarta's annual budget surplus to create a special fund aimed at generating new jobs if he is elected in the upcoming November election.
Jakarta, which has the largest provincial budget in Indonesia, consistently reports a surplus of at least Rp 5 trillion ($330.4 million) at the end of each fiscal year.
Pramono, the candidate backed by the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), plans to establish a program called the "Jakarta Fund" using this surplus.
"With an annual budget of approximately Rp 80 trillion, the city generates a surplus that can be transformed into the Jakarta Fund. If managed professionally, it can be channeled into productive activities," Pramono told reporters in Jakarta.
He emphasized that the Jakarta Fund would focus on reducing the city's high unemployment rate by creating new jobs.
"The key challenge for Gen Z in Jakarta is the lack of job opportunities," Pramono noted.
He added that the fund would be managed with transparency and professionalism, assuring that both he and his running mate, Rano Karno, are committed to this approach.
Pramono, who recently resigned from his position as cabinet secretary to run for governor, also mentioned that the fund could support jobs that require minimal qualifications, such as cleaning services. He explained that Jakarta residents with only an elementary school education could apply for such jobs, providing them with stable incomes from the city government.
Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/pramono-anung-proposes-employment-fund-using-jakarta-budget-surplu