REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Vice President Jusuf Kalla (JK) replied on criticism from several parties related to 2018 Annual Meeting of International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank (World Bank) in Nusa Dua, Bali. He recognized the government policies seemed to be wrong during campaign period.
“Yes, when campaign period, many things considered wrong,” JK said on Tuesday (Oct 9).
JK asserted the budget that spent by government to host the international event was used to repair a number of infrastructures in Bali. The fund was allocated to expand the aircraft parking lot or apron at Bali Airport and to build underpass to avoid congestion.
Meanwhile, the cost of meals and accommodation were borne by each participants of IMF-WB Annual Meeting. JK asserted the funding for hosting the event was different from the organizing 2018 Asian Games, which was fully borne by Indonesia Government.
"Participants have to pay for hospitality services. This is not the Asian Games,” JK added.
Furthermore, JK said the arrival of state guests would provide greater benefits than the costs incurred. For example, profits from hotel tax and shopping expenses spent by participants.
Also read: Jokowi signs his instruction on Lombok quake handling
Previously, Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) Religious Council (Majelis Syuro) deputy chairman Hidayat Nur Wahid criticized IMF-WB Annual Meeting in Bali, which had an operating cost of Rp 830 billion. He regretted government had not solved the problem of earthquake victims in neighboring province Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara.
Hidayat also mentioned President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) promise to give a sum of money to victims whose houses were destroyed. It had not been proven until today.
“Yes, it becomes contrast between Bali and Lombok, if for Rp 50 million aid is not implemented, then Rp 855 billion disbursed,” Hidayat said.
The government has set Rp4 billion for budget to replace damaged houses in Lombok. The budget was divided into three classifications, namely Rp50 million, Rp25 million, and Rp10 million for heavily damaged, medium damaged, and slightly damaged houses, respectively.
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