HEADLINES

TANJUNGPINANG, BPK Public Relations - The Audit Board of the Republic of Indonesia (BPK) emphasizes the importance of following up on audit recommendations to improve accountability and transparency of regional financial management.

This was stated by Board Member VI of BPK, Fathan Subchi, when submitting the Audit Report on the Financial Statements of the Riau Islands (Kepri) Provincial Government for fiscal year 2024 to the Speaker of the Regional House Representative (DPRD) of Kepri Province, Iman Sutiawan, and the Governor of Kepri, Ansar Ahmad, at the DPRD Office of Kepri Province in Tanjungpinang, on Monday (June 23).

Board Member VI of BPK said that by 31 December 2024, the audit recommendation follow-ups that have been in accordance with the given recommendations at Kepri Provincial Government have reached 86.80%. This has exceeded the national target of 75%. However, a review of the past five years shows that the appropriate audit recommendation follow-ups have only reached 74.10%.

“Therefore, I urge the Governor of Kepri to continuously improve the efforts made to complete these audit recommendation follow-ups,” said Board Member VI of BPK. He also encouraged BPK Regional Office in Kepri Province to proactively coordinate with the DPRD to expedite the completion of audit recommendation follow-ups.

During the Audit of Financial Statement of Kepri Provincial Government for fiscal year 2024, BPK identified several areas for improvement, including the planning and implementation of the Regional Budget (APBD) year 2024 which has not yet taken into account the potential revenue and the capacity of regional finances.

Additionally, the Revenue Agency (Bapenda) has not yet been optimal in preparing for the collection of Heavy Equipment Tax (PAB) in 2024, partly due to the delayed issuance of the Governor Regulation on procedures for the collection of regional tax.

“The lack of complete supporting regulations for PAB implementation has led to Kepri Provincial Government missing an opportunity to realize PAB Revenue in 2024,” he explained.

Board Member VI of BPK hoped the Governor and his officials would promptly address the issues that have drawn BPK’s attention so that they would not become recurring issues in the future.

He further emphasized the importance of effective and efficient use of the Regional Budget (APBD), in which every rupiah allocated in the APBD is not merely a figure in financial statements. It serves as a reflection of the public’s trust and the community's expectations for improved quality of life.

Therefore, synergy among all relevant parties is important to ensure that every rupiah is used to provide greater benefits and has a direct impact on the community.

The Speakers and Members of DPRD of Kepri Province, members of the Regional Representative Council (DPD) of Kepri Province, the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda) of Kepri Province, the Head of BPK Regional Office in Kepri Province, as well as structural and functional officials of BPK Regional Office in Kepri Province also attended the event.