Budget Leaks at the Department of Defense Reduced
Wednesday, 10 January, 2007 | 16:12 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The Department of Defense has acknowledged being able to reduce last year's budget wastage and leaks by 40 percent compared to the previous year.

In 2005, funds wastage and leaks at the Departement of Defense reached Rp225 billion.

“In 2006, (the wastage and leaks were) Rp100 billion,” said Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, Secretary General of the Department of Defense, after a meeting between Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono and Indonesian Military Leaders yesterday (01/09) in Jakarta.

Sjafrie said the Department of Defense has reduced its supply and development budget.

In 2007, the department will prioritize the purchase of urgent combat equipment that is in line with sovereignty security operations.

These operations will be carried out in border areas, with other priorities including the eradication of illegal logging and illegal fishing activities.

In addition, said Sjafrie, the government is prioritizing the purchase of operational humanitarian and health equipment for the Indonesian Military.

These plans, he said, have been carefully checked by the Director General of Defense Planning.

Last year, said Juwono, the Department of Defense received budget funds amounting to Rp28 trillion of the required Rp56 trillion.

As for this year, the department will receive Rp32 trillion of the required Rp62 trillion.

Dian Yuliastuti