TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Democratic Party central board (DPP) chairman Ferdinand Hutahaean claimed that village fund program was an original product from the reign of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono or SBY. He asserted the saying that the village fund was initiated by President Joko Widodo or Jokowi was false.

“Village fund is an original program produced during SBY governance that came from Pak SBY’s thought,” Ferdinand told Tempo Thursday, February 21.

According to Ferdinand, village fund that was aimed for the equitable development was initiated by SBY and noted as a state policy through Law of Village that was ratified and signed by SBY on January 15, 2014.

Read: Tjahjo Kumolo Accused of Spreading Lies Regarding Village Funds

During a meeting of the 2015 State Budget Draft, Ferdinand opined, SBY had proposed the first village fund and that listed as a part of transfer funds to regions.

He added that whoever the president is, the village fund program will remain to exist as it is a mandate of a law that is obliged to be upheld by the government. “So if there is a saying that village fund exists because of Jokowi, that’s a hoax and not true,” Ferdinand stressed.

Earlier, Home Affairs Minister Tjahjo Kumolo linked the village fund implementation and the governance of President Jokowi. Before village heads, during a coordination meeting with village administration in Ecovention Ocean Ecopark, Taman Impian Jaya Ancol, Jakarta, Wednesday, February 20, Tjahjo said that village fund was disbursed because of Jokowi. “Remember, the budget of village fund exists because of Pak Jokowi,” said Tjahjo.

FIKRI ARIGI | AHMAD FAIZ