HSU separates from the status of underdeveloped district

The agricultural sector is the most important natural resource in HSU which in July 2019 was removed from the status of underdeveloped district. (Antaranews Kalsel/Eddy Abdillah/special)

Many central assistance programs are missing. To retain the central assistance, lobbying and program and activities approaches should be done in accordance with the ministry's program,

Amuntai, S Kalimantan (ANTARA) - North Hulu Sungai (HSU) has separated from the status of underdeveloped regency as of July 31, 2019 based on the Minister of Villages, Disadvantaged Regions and Transmigration Decree No.74/2019 regarding the determination of disadvantaged districts which were alleviated in 2015-2019.

HSU along with 61 other districts have been declared successful in getting rid off the status of underdeveloped districts in Indonesia. HSU was previously the only underdeveloped district in South Kalimantan Province.

Head of the Economy and Natural Resources Division of the HSU Administration Muhammad Rafiq here on Wednesday said as HSU was removed from the disadvantaged status, a number of assistance programs from the central government had been obtained before might be stopped.

"Many central assistance programs are missing. To retain the central assistance, lobbying and program and activities approaches should be done in accordance with the ministry's program," he pointed out.

Rafiq said, the HSU Government also needs to reorganize regionalprograms, make regional budget adjustments, make various program activities efficiency and innovation.

"Although it is set out from the status of underdeveloped district, in the next 3 years it is still fostered by the Ministry of Villages, Disadvantaged Regions and Transmigration," he explained.

Rafiq added, the locally generated income (PAD) obtained by the District Government of HSU every year is approximately 10% of the APBD (local budget) or about Rp100 billion.

According to him, this amount of PAD is still very small, for civil servants' salaries alone is not enough, let alone for development.

The agriculture and service sectors need to be improved given the strategic position of the HSU region allows development, such as wholesale trade, hotels, tourism and other service sectors.

In 2016, the HSU was still with the Barito Kuala (Batola) District bearing the predicate of a disadvantaged regency, but Batola had earlier let go of its underdevelopment status.