Aceh Special Autonomy Funds must drive fiscal independence

Safrizal Zakaria Ali, Director General of Regional Administration at the Ministry of Home Affairs, has emphasized that the sustainability of Aceh's Special Autonomy (Otsus) funds after 2027 must focus on tangible development results and strengthening regional fiscal independence.

Speaking at a national seminar organized by the Accounting Students Association of Syiah Kuala University, Safrizal stated that these funds should serve as a catalyst for development transformation rather than merely acting as a budget transfer instrument. He stressed the importance of ensuring that every rupiah managed contributes to Aceh's ability to finance its own future.

To achieve this, Safrizal called for a reform of financial governance through honest evaluations of past development outcomes. He identified three key areas for improvement: regulatory aspects to clarify authority between provincial and district governments, planning and coordination, and accountability and transparency. These reforms aim to address critical regional challenges, including poverty, unemployment, and economic competitiveness.