JAKARTA. President Joko Widodo last week had signed the Presidential Regulation on the time frame and mechanism of the repayment of the bridging funds for the national strategic projects (PSN). The policy will be a guarantee for the Toll Road Enterprises (BUJT) over the repayment of bridging funds to acquire lands of the national strategic projects.
Minister of Public Working and People’s Housing Basuki Hadimuljono said that the government is now waiting for the completion of Minister of Finance Regulation, which will be the technical guidance of the regulation.
If all the law frameworks completed, the Rp 16 trillion bridging funds for the land acquisitions of toll road projects can be disbursed immediately.
Flexible reimbursement
According to Basuki, the time frame for the reimbursement of BUJT’s bridging funds from the Institution of State Assets Management (LMAN) will be flexible, on the grounds that the bridging funds are categorized as Public Service Agency (BLU) funds, not as ministerial funds.
Head of the Toll Road Regulator (BPJT) Herry Trisaputra Zuna added that the Presidential Regulation includes several points, such as the bridging funds for the land acquisition will be collected under Institution of State Assets Management (LMAN), which is a Public Service Agency (BLU). The government will also enhance the performance of LMAN. The BLU under the Ministry of Finance will be the only institution, which manages the government funds for the land procurement of infrastructure projects.
In the future, all budgets for land acquisition, which to date are distributed among various technical ministries will be centralized in LMAN. This scheme only includes some infrastructure projects, which are included under the national strategic projects.
According to Herry, to date BPJT has received land acquisition bills, which amount to Rp 9.9 trillion. Meanwhile, BUJT has spent Rp 8.5 trillion funds for settling the payment of land acquisition.
President Director of PT Jasa Marga Tbk Desi Arani said that the Presidential Regulation has brought certainty (to BUJT). Desi said, after the issuance of the Presidential Regulation, the toll road concession agreements (PPJT) between BUJT and LMAN will likely be amended. Subsequently, the repayment will be processed.
President Director of PT Waksita Karya Tbk M. Cholic added that, after the policy takes into effect, Waskita Karya will immediately collect the reimbursements. Therefore, the funds may be allocated to other projects.
(Muhammad Farid/Translator)
