President Asks for PNPM Program to be Overseen
Wednesday, 30 April, 2008 | 17:49 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has called on members of the general public to oversee the funding and execution of the National People's Empowerment Program (PNPM Mandiri).

“I ask the public to be involved in confirming the program’s execution,” said President when opening the national meeting of PNPM Mandiri at the State Palace on Wednesday (30/04).

This government policy, he continued, was using a large amount of funds.

In line with economic development, the budget for eradicating poverty has been raised.

A total of Rp19 trillion was allocated for welfare improvements in 2004, Rp24 trillion in 2005, Rp41 trillion in 2006, Rp51 trillion in 2007, and Rp58 trillion this year.

“With this large amount of funding, the program should reach the target,” said the President.

In 2007, the PNPM Mandiri program covered 2,993 sub districts or 28,000 villages with funding of between Rp57 million and Rp1.5 billion for every sub district.

In 2008, the program will cover 3,999 sub districts or 36,417 villages with funding of between Rp1.5 billion and Rp3 billion for every sub district.

Next year, the program is targeted to cover 5,720 sub districts or 73,000 villages with funding of Rp3 billion for every sub district.

“The media should give proportional judgment. Say good if it is good and say bad if it is bad,” said the President.

He instructed all regional leaders to directly lead and monitor the welfare improvement program and PNPM Mandiri.

“Some areas are successful with this program, but some are not yet,” said the President.

Ninin P. Damayanti