Indonesia allocates US$5.9 billion for Papua for 2022

Jakarta, January 17 (ANTARA) - The Indonesian government has allocated a budget of Rp84.7 trillion (US$5.9 billion) for the provinces of Papua and West Papua for 2022, the Ministry of Finance, through its Directorate General of Finance Balance, has informed. "The figure has increased from Rp79.7 trillion in 2020, but decreased from Rp85.8 trillion in 2021 because there was a spending at the central (government level), which was the National Economic Recovery (PEN) in 2021," director of general fund transfer at the ministry, Adriyanto, said during a meeting on the Papua Development Acceleration Master Plan (RIPPP) for 2022–2041 here on Monday. The government's budget for Papua and West Papua in 2022 includes Rp12.9 trillion for special autonomy funds, additional infrastructure funds, regional and village transfer funds (TKDD) of Rp50.2 trillion, and spending of ministries/institutions of Rp21.6 trillion, he informed. Of the total Rp84.7 trillion, Rp27.24 trillion has been set aside for West Papua and Rp57.41 trillion for Papua, Adriyanto highlighted. "We see that the expenditure of ministries/institutions was huge in 2021 (Rp21.6 trillion). This is our task together for RIPPP on how to synergize this spending fund with the local government's spending," he said. He also advised that the central and local governments in Papua not hold the same activities or programs so government spending can be made more efficient. "Enormous spending budget is good, but the same (kind of) activities should not happen. Excessive activities can cause inefficiencies in the project and use of budget," he said. The Indonesian government is drafting the Papua Development Acceleration Master Plan (RIPPP) for the period 2022–2041. RIPPP is based on Law No. 2 of 2021 concerning Papua's special autonomy and Government Regulation No. 107 of 2021 on Approval, Management, Supervision, and RIPPP in the Realization of Special Autonomy of Papua Province.