TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan asserted that he will not increase the budget for his expert team joined in the governor's Team for Accelerated Development (TGUPP) next year, despite the budget ceiling draft noted a hike by Rp7.5 billion from Rp18.99 billion in the 2019 revised regional budget (APBD-P).

“There will be no changes in the budget,” said Anies when met at Jakarta Legislative Council (DPRD) building, Thursday, October 3.

Anies also affirmed that he will summon officials who decide or propose the budget hike. “[The budget] will not be changed,” he repeated.

The governor was questioned about his team’s budget ceiling after William Aditya Sarana, the Indonesia Solidarity Party (PSI) faction head of Jakarta Council, exposed the budget hike. The draft of 2020 General Budget Policies and Provisional Budget Ceiling and Priorities (KUA-PPAS) noted the budget at Rp26.5 billion.

“The huge budget and personnel of TGUPP do not represent the work of the governor. So it is actually profligacy,” said William.

Meanwhile, Jakarta Regional Development Planning Agency head, Sri Mahendra, confirmed to Tempo last Friday that the additional budget for Anies Baswedan’s team TGUPP was aimed at adjusting the salary of the members based on their educational level and experience.

IMAM HAMDI