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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Economy & Trade

Indonesia's Finance Minister Pledges Budget for Seized Asset Maintenance

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Indonesia's Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa confirmed the government will allocate funds for maintaining seized assets managed by the Attorney General's Office.
  • Attorney General Sanitiar Burhanuddin had previously complained about the lack of a special budget for maintaining state confiscated assets.
  • The minister humorously suggested an initial 10% budget allocation, which was met with laughter, as the issue of asset maintenance funding was discussed.

Indonesian Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has assured that the government will provide a budget for the upkeep of state assets confiscated and managed by the Attorney General's Office. This commitment follows a complaint from Attorney General Sanitiar Burhanuddin regarding the absence of a dedicated fund for maintaining these seized properties.

Mrs. Puspa (acting Director General of State Assets Rahayu Puspasari), what percentage is appropriate to be returned? Is there a rule? Why has there never been any money?

— Purbaya Yudhi SadewaAddressing the lack of a budget for maintaining confiscated assets.

During an event for the handover of non-tax state revenue (PNBP) at the Attorney General's Office Asset Recovery Agency in Jakarta, Minister Purbaya directly addressed the issue. He questioned the current system, asking about the percentage of funds that should be returned and noting the Attorney General's statement about the perpetual lack of funds for maintenance. Purbaya emphasized the government's responsibility to meticulously record, manage, and account for state money and assets, highlighting that effective asset governance strengthens the nation's finances and improves public services.

Adding a touch of humor, Purbaya lightheartedly speculated on the budget percentage needed for asset maintenance, asking "10 percent is enough? Not yet? More? 20? More? Wow, that's too much," drawing laughter from the attendees. Earlier, Attorney General ST Burhanuddin had formally requested the Finance Ministry consider budget support for maintaining confiscated assets, particularly those requiring security to remain intact, such as land. He stressed this was not a demand but a hopeful request for consideration.

10 percent is enough? Not yet? More? 20? More? Wow, that's too much.

— Purbaya Yudhi SadewaHumorously suggesting a budget allocation for asset maintenance.

The discussion occurred during the handover of Rp 1.029 trillion in PNBP to the Finance Ministry. A significant portion, Rp 978.191 billion, came from selling confiscated assets through the BPA Fair in May. An additional Rp 51.68 billion stemmed from the voluntary surrender of assets belonging to fugitive convict Eddy Tansil. The event was attended by several high-ranking officials from the Attorney General's Office, including Deputy Prosecutors General for Special Crimes, Supervision, Civil and State Administrative Affairs, and General Crimes.

We have never had a budget to maintain security so that these items can remain intact. Especially for land that is occupied, this requires a budget. Please consider it, Mr. Minister. We are not asking, but we are just hoping.

— ST BurhanuddinRequesting budget support for maintaining confiscated assets.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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