Jakarta Governor, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) apologized to Jakarta citizens over the polemic of the 2015 City Budget (APBD) that broke out with Jakarta Legislative Council (DPRD).

I apologize to citizens for this joke political. But I have to do it to save public money, even though it takes a big risk

“I apologize to citizens for this joke political. But I have to do it to save public money, even though it takes a big risk. People thought I did not communicate with legislative, but you can watch our videos during the plenary session. All went well. Our problem is only Rp 12,1 trillion,” said Ahok, at City Hall, Tuesday (3/3).

Ahok conveyed the city administration had to take this matter seriously into legal because of many regional working units (SKPD) become victim. The city administration recorded the highest amount of budget surplus (Silpa) in 2014 was caused by lots of fictitious budget, and we refuse to execute it,” he continued.

As a result, he stated, the e-budgeting system was forced to be applied for anticipating fictitious budget. “I locked it through e-budgeting system. The legislative filed a right of inquiry. Although the political parties are supporting the right, but they are actually more aligned to us," stressed Ahok. 

Therefore, he opted to be demoted or imprisoned than “tricky” in manipulating budget by Rp 12,1 trillion.

“We have a procedure in budget discussion. Actually, the legislative duty is just to supervise. The signature by the city's budget priorities and preliminary thresholds (KUA-PPS) was done, and the legislative can check it, whether the budget is valid or not, instead of thrusting legislative's budget version,” he finished.