Lawmakers OK extra Rp 678b for TNI for ‘communications’ gear
The House of Representatives (DPR) has approved a request from the Indonesian Military (TNI) to add Rp 678 billion (US$73.22 million) to the Defense Ministry’s budget, a top official says.
“We were told that the House’s budget committee has approved an additional budget for us,” Defense Ministry secretary-general Air Vice Marshal Eris Herriyanto told reporters on Tuesday.
Eris added the planned increase would be included in the draft revision of the 2012 state budget for approval by a House plenary meeting.
According to Eris, the Defense Ministry did not have a detailed plan for spending the money, saying that the additional funds would be divided equally between the TNI’s three branches: the Air Force, the Army and the Navy.
Eris made his comments after attending a closed meeting in Jakarta on Tuesday with lawmakers from House Commission I overseeing defense.
The nation’s defense budget has gradually increased over the past few years, as Indonesia has recorded continued economic growth.
The increase was also in line with government plans to update the TNI’s weapons systems.
This year’s defense budget was pegged at Rp 64.4 trillion, almost triple that of the Rp 23.92 trillion budgeted in 2006. The government plans to increase defense spending by at least 20 percent a year
until 2014.
Separately, Commission I deputy chairman Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita confirmed that the Rp 678 billion would be allocated for the Defense Ministry at the request of TNI headquarters.
“The commission, on this matter, sees the need to address the Indonesian Military headquarters’ request, as its status is considered as part of the government,” the Golkar party legislator said.
Citing a previous statement from TNI chief Adm. Agus Suhartono, the lawmaker said that the TNI would use the money to buy communications equipment to synchronize operations between all branches of the military.
Agus added that the commission had held several meeting to talk about the additional budget request for the TNI, agreeing to discuss it in greater detail.
Commission I deputy chairman TB Hasanuddin confirmed that the additional money would go to buy communications equipment for the military.
“As far as I know, the additional budget would be allocated to procure communication devices and some diving equipment,” Hasanuddin said.
Contacted separately, Wahyudi Djafar of the Institute for Policy Research and Advocacy (ELSAM) said that lawmakers on House Commission I must ensure that the additional budget allocation would be spent transparently and accountably.
“All this time, the Defense Ministry has not given [the public] enough information on its budgetary matters, especially on weaponry,” Wahyudi said.
Wahyudi said that the Defense Ministry should publish procurement information when the issues involved did not contain sensitive or classified information.
He also cautioned lawmakers in the House not to hide behind military secrets to avoid open and transparent budget meetings.
“The House often uses ‘discretion’ as an excuse to held budget talks in closed meetings.”
The Defense Ministry previously announced its shopping list for 2012, reflecting its plan for widespread modernization of its major weapon systems.
ELSAM.or.id - Lawmakers OK extra Rp 678b for TNI for ‘communications’ gear
The House of Representatives (DPR) has approved a request from the Indonesian Military (TNI) to add Rp 678 billion (US$73.22 million) to the Defense Ministry’s budget, a top official says.“We were told that the House’s budget committee has approved an additional budget for us,” Defense Ministry secretary-general Air Vice Marshal Eris Herriyanto told reporters on Tuesday.
Eris added the planned increase would be included in the draft revision of the 2012 state budget for approval by a House plenary meeting.
According to Eris, the Defense Ministry did not have a detailed plan for spending the money, saying that the additional funds would be divided equally between the TNI’s three branches: the Air Force, the Army and the Navy.
Eris made his comments after attending a closed meeting in Jakarta on Tuesday with lawmakers from House Commission I overseeing defense.
The nation’s defense budget has gradually increased over the past few years, as Indonesia has recorded continued economic growth.
The increase was also in line with government plans to update the TNI’s weapons systems.
This year’s defense budget was pegged at Rp 64.4 trillion, almost triple that of the Rp 23.92 trillion budgeted in 2006. The government plans to increase defense spending by at least 20 percent a year
until 2014.
Separately, Commission I deputy chairman Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita confirmed that the Rp 678 billion would be allocated for the Defense Ministry at the request of TNI headquarters.
“The commission, on this matter, sees the need to address the Indonesian Military headquarters’ request, as its status is considered as part of the government,” the Golkar party legislator said.
Citing a previous statement from TNI chief Adm. Agus Suhartono, the lawmaker said that the TNI would use the money to buy communications equipment to synchronize operations between all branches of the military.
Agus added that the commission had held several meeting to talk about the additional budget request for the TNI, agreeing to discuss it in greater detail.
Commission I deputy chairman TB Hasanuddin confirmed that the additional money would go to buy communications equipment for the military.
“As far as I know, the additional budget would be allocated to procure communication devices and some diving equipment,” Hasanuddin said.
Contacted separately, Wahyudi Djafar of the Institute for Policy Research and Advocacy (ELSAM) said that lawmakers on House Commission I must ensure that the additional budget allocation would be spent transparently and accountably.
“All this time, the Defense Ministry has not given [the public] enough information on its budgetary matters, especially on weaponry,” Wahyudi said.
Wahyudi said that the Defense Ministry should publish procurement information when the issues involved did not contain sensitive or classified information.
He also cautioned lawmakers in the House not to hide behind military secrets to avoid open and transparent budget meetings.
“The House often uses ‘discretion’ as an excuse to held budget talks in closed meetings.”
The Defense Ministry previously announced its shopping list for 2012, reflecting its plan for widespread modernization of its major weapon systems.
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