AEPI Criticizes Slashing Of Budget For Some Agencies

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - The Indonesian Political Economic Association (AEKI) criticizes the slashing of budgets for a number of government agencies that would mean a cut in fund for important program for regional development.

"At least 12 ministries and other government agencies became victims of the finance ministry cutting up to 70 percent of their budget," AEPI analyst Dani Setiawan said here on Thursday.

Whereas, most of the agencies are the backbones  in the implementation of the agenda for regional development  and national economic development, Dani said.

While other ministries suffer a cut,  the budget for the finance ministry increased 36 percent from the amount set in the state budget, he said.

He said the ministry of rural, backward area  and transmigration development was forced to use foreign loan of Rp1.8 trillion from the World Bank as a result of the slashing of the budget.

"This would result in big budget as it is foreign loans that have given way for foreign capital domination of the country's economy," he said.

Therefore, the finance ministry should be  the first target of mental revolution President Joko Widodo has wanted to launch,he said. (WDY)