JAKARTA (October 21, 2019) - The Ministry of Social Affairs ranked first out of 86 Ministries/Institutions. The realization of the Ministry of Social Affairs' State Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBN) absorption reached 88.64 percent, as of October 18 2019, today. The percentage of absorption of this budget is higher than the national average percentage of 66.36 percent.

This 88.64 percent realization achievement also increased compared to the achievement in the same period in 2018, namely the realization achievement of 79.07 percent.

"This achievement is certainly encouraging. Apart from recording the highest absorption, the Ministry of Social Affairs also absorbed its budget far exceeding the national average absorption. This shows increasing performance," said Secretary General of the Ministry of Social Affairs Hartono Laras, in Jakarta, Friday (18/10/2019) .

According to the Secretary General, in the 2019 fiscal year the Ministry of Social Affairs received a budget ceiling allocation of IDR 58.98 trillion. This allocation is larger than the previous year's allocation ceiling of IDR 43.39 trillion (or around 91 percent).

"This 26 percent ceiling increase occurred in social assistance spending, which was originally IDR 39.11 trillion to IDR 54.27 trillion," said Hartono. For this achievement, Hartono stated that it was the result of the direction and guidance of the Minister of Social Affairs Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita, to all elements of leadership and staff at the Ministry of Social Affairs.

"Besides that, this cannot be separated from the increased performance of leadership and staff elements at the Ministry of Social Affairs. Both at the level of heads of work units, namely director generals or echelon I officials, as well as structural officials and staff," said the Secretary General.

This achievement also shows the growing awareness, responsibility and commitment among leaders and staff both at the central and regional levels (UPT Heads) at the Ministry of Social Affairs. ²Apart from, of course, a reflection of the increased quality of performance," said Hartono.

"In 2020, the Ministry of Social Affairs' budget will increase again to IDR 62.77 trillion," said the Secretary General. This budget increase can be interpreted as a mandate, trust, and hope from the community, especially Social Welfare Services Recipients (PPKS).

Budget management is full of challenges, because it is required to be solid, prudent, professional, accountable and transparent. “Big budget, must perform. It has to be ensured that it is right on target and really answers the needs of PPKS," said the Secretary General.

So far, said the Secretary General, the performance of the Ministry of Social Affairs' budget management aimed at supporting the development of social welfare has been going well which can be seen from the poverty rate which has continued to decline, to below the 1 digit level. Namely 9.82 percent as of March 2018 and 9.66 percent as of last September 2018 based on the latest Statistics Indonesia (BPS) report of 9.41 percent as of July 2019.

From the aspect of accountability it is also encouraging. "Three times in a row, the Ministry of Social Affairs has received an unqualified opinion (WTP) from the audit results of the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK)," said the Secretary General. Namely for the 2016, 2017 and 2018 Financial Reports. As well as the maturity of SPIP has entered at level three of the Finance and Development Suprvisory Agency (BPKP) as well as other achievements related to various public service innovations from various Ministry of Social work units and other achievements.

This achievement, Hartono also said, is expected to motivate all leaders and employees in all work units and Technical Service Units (UPT) of the Ministry of Social Affairs which are spread throughout Indonesia.

On this occasion, Hartono also stated that this success was also the implementation of bureaucratic reform which had proven to be running well, which was indicated by the increase in the various innovations implemented and the awards received by the Ministry of Social Affairs.


Acting Head of Public Relation Bureau of the Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs

Sonny W Manalu