TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati will evaluate the use of Papua`s special autonomy funds following the malnutrition and measles outbreak in Asmat, Papua. She will oversee if the funds' utilization is well managed.
“The recent occurrence of a nutritional crisis tells us on whether the special autonomy budget has been allocated with the formula about 2 percent of the general allocation fund," said Sri Mulyani at Hotel Borobudur, Central Jakarta, on Thursday, February 1.
In accordance with the Law No. 21/2001 on Special Autonomy for Papua Province, it is intended to finance the infrastructure development in Papua. “The fund is allocated for the equality purpose and to create prosperity for the Papua people,” she said.
Read: Govt Devises Plan for Papua Malnutrition Measles Outbreak
According to Sri Mulyani, her ministry has the right to assess the fund disbursement since the funding period will be expired in 2021, besides the health crisis issues.
In line with Sri Mulyani, Acting Director General of Regional Development at the Home Affairs Ministry, Diah Indrajati will also evaluate the utilization of special autonomy fund.
The fund increases year by year from 2002 to 2018. This year, Papua received Rp22.45 trillion, and West Papua received Rp8.02 trillion of a total fund Rp61.67 trillion.
However, Diah regretted that with such a big-budget, a malnutrition issue still exists in District Agats, Asmat, Papua.
ANDITA RAHMA