Ahok Asserts No Need Approval to Publish Budget Plan

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Former governor of Jakarta Basuki Tjahaja Purnama or Ahok stated that the publication of the 2020 General Budget Policies and Provisional Budget Ceiling and Priorities (KUA-PPAS) and Regional Budget (APBD) plans did not require the approval of Jakarta administration and Legislative Council (DPRD).

According to Basuki, all data starting from the planning until the final draft could be published.

"As I recall, it (the budget plan) can be accessed since the Musrenbang (the development planning meeting). All data can be aired," he told Tempo, Thursday, October 31.

The former governor responded to the Jakarta budget ceiling that had not been uploaded yet on the city website for public access. However, Ahok was reluctant to further comment yet warned about the principle of transparency should Jakarta was willing to prevent corruption.

Previously, the Jakarta Regional Development Planning Agency (Bappeda) head Sri Mahendra said that his side would upload the 2020 KUA-PPAS and APBD plans if they had been approved by the city executive and legislative.

Sri claimed the city administration had handed out the budget plans to the Council members, and underlined discussions on the 2020 KUA-PPAS would be held publicly later in the DPRD meeting.

"If you want to know [the budget plan], please visit the DPRD later because DPRD is open. You are allowed to question and join the open discussion," said Sri at the City Hall, Central Jakarta, Wednesday, October 30.

LANI DIANA WIJAYA