TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Following the budget fiasco at the end of 2019, Jakarta provincial administration announced that the updated e-budgeting system could be available to be used during the drafting of the regional budget or APBD in 2021.

However, the head of the city’s communication, information, and statistics agency, Atika Nur Rahmania, said the public could access it since February 2020.

“The APBD draft 2021 will be discussed during the meeting of the city working plan (RKPD) in June,” said Atika at the Jakarta Legislative Building (DPRD), Kebon Sirih, Central Jakarta, Tuesday, February 4.

According to her, the new feature in the system would include, among others, the background and legal of the budget planning, notifications for the regional working units (SKPD) if there is an odd budget draft, and the integrated assessment by the city administration or ministries.

Atika noted that the latest system promoted the ease of external supervision so that the public could understand the whole process of budget planning. Besides, people would be allowed to comment and rate on the site regarding the discussion process of development planning.

“It is a form of transparency. People can give ratings and comments on the activities,” she added.

Atika further ensured the safety of the brand-new system. The Jakarta Council Commission A was scheduled to visit the agency’s office to review the demonstration of the system use and test its security.

As widely reported, Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan previously blamed the old e-budgeting system for the presence of odd budgets on glue, pens, and other items in the 2020 budget draft. Anies said the system failed to prevent such things from occurring.

ADAM PRIREZA