JAKARTA - The Jakarta Special Capital Region Municipal Government has budgeted Rp 3 trillion to handle the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak until May.
This was conveyed by Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan in a video conference with Vice President Ma'ruf Amin on Thursday (2/4). "As of today (Thursday) we have Rp 1.03 trillion, and an additional Rp 2 trillion has been budgeted until May. In total, we have budgeted Rp 3 trillion for Covid-19 handling," said Mr Baswedan as quoted by CNN Indonesia.
However, the former Education Minister did not explain the details of the budget's allocation. In terms of regulation, he said, the budget has been approved by Home Minister Tito Karnavian.
"[Mr Karnavian] was quick to approve a relaxation for regions affected [by the outbreak] in order to reallocate their budgets, and we will do so immediately," said Mr Baswedan.
The Jakarta government, Mr Baswedan added, is still awaiting confirmation from the central government regarding receivables and profit-sharing funds from the Ministry of Finance. According to him, the Ministry of Finance is owing the Jakarta government Rp 5.1 trillion in receivables, while profit-sharing funds in the second quarter of 2020 are worth Rp 2.4 trillion.
"Our challenge is Jakarta is not about our budget, but our cash flow. When [the receivables and profit-sharing funds] are disbursed, we have more flexibility in terms of cash flow, as we have informed the President during a limited meeting," said Mr Baswedan.
"We hope the profit-sharing funds can be transferred immediately, and I have also sent a letter to the Ministry of Finance." (MS)