REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas says he will not until there is a misuse of the budget in the environment of the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Ministry of Religious Affairs).

“I don't want any reports of budget abuse in the Ministry. We are the only ministry that bears a religious name. That is a heavy burden, not only being able to carry out properly and responsibly, but also its responsibility for religious values,” he said as quoted in a press release by the ministry in Jakarta on Tuesday (5/12/2023).

At the presentation of the Budget Implementation Checklist (DIPA) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for 2024, he stressed that budget utilization must be conducted in a disciplined, transparent and accountable manner so that there is no loophole for misappropriation and corruption.

“I want to focus on priority and legacy programs. Don't do too many revisions because the more revisions mean the less good the planning, so it looks unprepared,” he said.

He also said that the use of the budget for the implementation of programs and activities should be carried out since January so that it does not accumulate at the end of the year.

“Make sure it can be implemented well, no projects fail. I hope to finish in the third quarter,” he said.

The Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nizar Ali reported that the Ministry of Religious Affairs in the 2024 budget year received a funding allocation of about Rp74 trillion, an increase of 2.6 percent or about Rp1.6 trillion from the previous year.

DIPA Ministry for 2024 includes the allocation of funds of Rp 62.3 trillion for educational programs and Rp 11.7 trillion for religious programs.