TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Jakarta Employment Agency Head Chaidir confirmed the government will deduct 50 percent of the civil servants' (ASN) earnings improvement allowance or TPP in a bid to adjust the capability of regional budgets (APBD) during the coronavirus pandemic. The cut will be valid for all ranks.

“It’s an adjustment to the APBD related to the COVID-19 handling,” said Chaidir on Wednesday, April 30.

He reiterated that Indonesia’s economic contraction has reached 53 percent and affected all sectors, forcing the government to reduce regional performance allowance (TKD) and TPP.

For example, officials at the echelon II level who normally earn TPP of up to Rp58 million per month will obtain half of the figure starting May 2020.

According to Chaidir, the adjustment is mandated by the joint ministerial decree of the Finance Ministry, in which calling on regional administrations to adjust the TKD. “All ASN agree on this because this applies nationally.”

Additionally, the prevailing laws stipulated that if the country faces natural disasters or outbreaks, the state apparatus must accept such adjustment.

As for Eid holiday allowance or THR, Chaidir said that Jakarta will follow the central government’s policy. Civil servants at the echelon III level will receive their THR. “This is different from TPP or TKD.”

IMAM HAMDI