TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Finance Ministry has revealed that the budget for Indonesia’s 79th Independence Day ceremony in the Nusantara Capital, or IKN, reached Rp87 billion, surpassing the usual celebration in Jakarta of Rp53 billion.

“It is particularly because of the procurement of ceremonial equipment, physical facilities, and extensive guest receptions compared to Jakarta,” said Director General of Budget at the Finance Ministry, Isa Rachmatarwata, in a press conference at his office on Tuesday, August 13, 2024.

Additionally, Isa attributed the increased expenditure to the procurement of facilities that require special access and large costs for the logistical arrangements. “The reception is also quite large compared to Jakarta, especially perhaps given the location that lacks infrastructure for such receptions,” said Isa.

On the same occasion, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati reported that Rp11.2 trillion, or 26.4 percent of the Rp42.5 billion IKN budget, has been disbursed as of July 2024. She emphasized that this is an initial figure as spending is expected to accelerate in the coming quarters.

The Ministry of Public Works and Housing (PUPR) has already secured 108 development contracts worth Rp84.2 trillion. This figure, she added, has not been fully absorbed.

The government has also allocated Rp2.2 trillion for non-infrastructure activities, including planning, coordination, and public awareness campaigns related to the IKN development.

ADIL AL HASAN

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