Jokowi warns Cabinet not to mess with budget

President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo told his Cabinet members on Monday not to play around with the state budget, in an effort to improve the government’s accountability in the eyes of the people.

"I reiterate that ministries and agencies must not to play around with the people's money," Jokowi said while receiving the 2015 Central Government Financial Report ( LKPP ) from the Supreme Audit Agency ( BPK ) at the State Palace.

The President reminded his team to ensure budget allocations were used for the people’s interests.

The BPK issued a disclaimer for four entities — the Social Affairs Ministry, Youth and Sports Ministry, state-owned television station TVRI and the National Commission on Human Rights.

Jokowi said the four must improve their financial reports, adding that the government would follow up on the BPK’s recommendations.

BPK chairman Harry Azhar Azis said the agency had given a fair overview in the 2015 LKPP.

"It's a result of a combination of things, such as non-compliance with government accounting standards, weak internal control systems and noncompliance with legislative provisions," he asserted.

(THE JAKARTA POST)