Government Statements Research Articles

British economic strategy and regional institutions in Asia, 2016–2024

AbstractThis paper examines the British approach to Asia and its regional institutions from the Brexit vote in 2016 to the British general election of July 2024. The paper analyses official government statements and debates among political elites about Britain’s foreign policy posture in the region, from the broad ‘Indo-Pacific tilt’ and the Belt and Road Initiative to engagement with specific regional institutions such as ASEAN, BRI, AIIB, CPTPP and bilateral trade and investment agreements. It argues that approaches to regional institutions in and across Asia are driven by a combination of a dominant policy view that there is a need to engage with Asia which is becoming economically and strategically more important in a changing world, alongside a desire to decentre China in British strategic approaches to the region (partly in response to US-China strategic rivalry). However, given China’s centrality to regional economic growth in Asia, this approach creates contradictions which are rarely addressed in British policy debates. This paper will contribute not only to understanding British foreign policy, but also shed light on the evolving “new regionalism” and power dynamics across the Indo/Asia–Pacific, and how actors external to the region view and engage with the development of regional institutions in Asia.

Does audit opinion matter to issuance of sukuk?

Purpose - This study aims to analyze the effect of The Audit Board of The Republic of Indonesia's audit opinion on Central Government Financial Statement and economic factors on the Government Sharia Securities (sukuk) issuance of Indonesia.Method - The data collected is secondary data obtained from the Audit Board of the Republic of Indonesia (BPK), Bank Indonesia, and World Bank. This study uses a quantitative approach with the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) technique.Result - The results show that the audit opinion by BPK has a positive and significant influence on the development of sukuk in Indonesia. The inflation rate is found to have a negative effect on sukuk, but not significant. The exchange rate is found to have a positive and significant effect on the issuance of sukuk. Political stability is found to have a negative effect on the development of sukuk, but not significant. Changes in the growth have a negative and significant influence on the issuance of sukuk.Implication - The results provide a recommendation that in addition to maintaining the current Central Government Financial Statement opinion acquisition at the highest level (unqualified), the government needs to maintain the credibility and accountability of State Budget performance which is manifested through macroeconomic variables and other variables that influence the development of government Sharia securities.Originality - This study provides a new perspective on the influence of audit opinions and various economic factors on the issuance of sukuk in Indonesia, using a comprehensive data set covering the period from 2008 to 2022 and employing the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) technique for analysis.

Peran Indonesia dalam Mewujudkan Stabilitas Keamanan Kawasan Regional Asean di Tengah Perebutan Pengaruh Negara-Negara Great Power

Geopolitical developments in Southeast Asia have become the center of attention of major world powers, especially the United States and China. ASEAN, through the ADMM and ADMM-Plus forums, plays an important role in maintaining regional security stability. This study aims to analyze Indonesia's role in realizing security stability in the ASEAN region in the midst of great power competition. The research methods used are qualitative with in-depth interviews, case studies, and secondary data analysis from various sources, including policy reports and official government statements. The results of the study show that Indonesia plays a role as a diplomatic mediator, a reinforcer of regional cooperation, and a defender of ASEAN sovereignty. ADMM-Plus also faces challenges in expanding membership, which requires careful geopolitical considerations. In conclusion, Indonesia has a crucial role in maintaining regional stability through multilateral cooperation and conflict resolution efforts in ASEAN.

Experiences of community engagement for SARS-COV-2 and COVID-19 community surveillance in a rural and urban population in South Western Uganda

Background: We describe lessons learnt from community engagement activities for the successful implementation of a COVID-19 community surveillance study in Kalungu district, south-western Uganda. Methods: One rural and one urban site were selected for COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 community surveillance in selected households and three public health facilities. COVID-19 pandemic and national COVID-19 protection measures were described and explained in meetings with: district, sub-county/town, village council officials, religious leaders, health workers and Community Advisory Board members. The community surveillance study was introduced to the meeting attendees and minutes captured in English/Luganda (subsequently translated to English). All minutes were manually coded and analysed thematically. Results: The minutes revealed that community members were generally supportive of the COVID-19 surveillance study. Members requested wider communities’ sensitisation about COVID-19 and the survey beyond the selected households. Misinformation and mistrust of Government statements were widespread. People in the community did not understand the `random sample’ selection for the study. Providing appropriate medical care, face masks and honouring appointments for study participants and ensuring that COVID-19 prevention measures were followed during the study improved participation. Conclusion: Successful COVID-19 community surveillance required continuous, active community engagement between the research team, and community stakeholders while maximising previous gains and exploiting existing resources. Keywords: SARS-COV-2; COVID-19; community engagement; surveillance; acceptability; East Africa.

Pengaruh Kompetensi Sumber Daya Manusia Terhadap Kualitas Laporan Keuangan di Badan Keuangan Pemerintah Daerah Provinsi Gorontalo

The financial statements of regional governments play a crucial role in creating accountability for local governments. Therefore, high-quality regional financial statements are needed as they can serve as a reference for policy-making and have a high level of quality for their users. This research aims to determine the influence of human resource competence on the quality of financial statements. This research employs descriptive quantitative. The sampling technique employed is purposive sampling. This research uses primary data collected by distributing questionnaires to 40 respondents involved in statement management. The data analysis technique used is simple linear regression analysis. The results indicate that human resource competence has a positive and significant influence on the quality of financial statements at the Regional Financial Agency of Gorontalo Province.

Populism-in-state-practice under neoliberalism: Museveni’s ad-hoc squads to ‘halt all evictions’ from land in Uganda

ABSTRACT Populism in Africa has been studied as political rhetoric, strategy and performance, with focus on ethnicity, nationalism, mobilisation and elections. Less attention has been given to populism-in-practice, specifically populism-in-state-practice (PISP): how a populist rhetoric by an actor in power gets translated into an administrative/executive intervention, and how this fares on the ground. This paper uses the case of populist interventions of President Museveni in neoliberal Uganda to address rampant land conflicts in the 2010s – specifically his ad-hoc initiatives aimed at ‘helping the poor’ by ‘stopping’ evictions – to explore characteristics of PISP. We thus contribute to the literature through an analysis of the implementation of a populist measure under neoliberalism. Using land laws, decided court cases, government statements, and media reports, our analysis shows that although somewhat helpful in the interim, the initiatives unleashed new turmoil, extended land (tenure) insecurity, advanced a Presidentialisation of justice delivery, deepened institutional impasse and suspended institutional efforts that could advance pro-poor change. PISP did not address the root causes of the problems that it set out to tackle, and failed to alter the legal insecurities, and perilous power position of the declared beneficiaries. Yet, it enhanced political legitimacy of the President and state.

India’s Security and Climate Policy: Navigating the China Challenge

In a world rich in climate knowledge but short on climate action, it is important to understand the political reasons behind the apparent failure of states to address this planetary crisis. One underexplored dimension of this phenomenon is the impact of broader geopolitics and rivalry, in specific the ability and willingness of potential and actual security and economic rivals to leave their contention at the gates of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This article focuses on India’s multifaceted approach to its ‘China challenge’ with and outside the climate regime. While conventional scholarship focuses on the security and economic dimensions of this rivalry, this study offers a distinct perspective that examines whether this rivalry might lead to a breakdown of cooperation and an increased potential for conflict and weaponisation of seemingly disconnected issue areas. Drawing on a comprehensive triangulation of policy documents, government statements and scholarly literature, this article evaluates the domestic and international factors shaping India’s climate-related China policies, including the countries’ unique economic ambitions, development imperatives, energy needs and global climate commitments. Furthermore, the article examines Sino-Indian interactions in international arenas such as the UNFCCC and Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa (BRICS), and how these interactions influence global climate governance.

A Analysis Of Central Government Ministry Pro-Poor Budgeting Program Before And After The Pandemic

Pro-poor budgeting analysis is an approach used to ensure that government budget allocations favor and favor the interests of the poor and vulnerable. This study uses a qualitative approach to determine the differences in pro-poor budgeting budget allocations in the Central Government. The data collection techniques used in this study are using secondary data from the Central Government Financial Statements for the 2019 and 2022 fiscal years. The data analysis technique in this study uses descriptive analysis. This analysis is important to see budget allocations that are right on target and effective in reducing poverty levels in Indonesia. The results of this study indicate that the three Central Governments have differences in pro-poor budgeting priorities between the pre-COVID-19 period and the post-COVID-19 period, and other results show differences in the effectiveness of pro-poor budgeting between Ministries. The implications of this research are related to the impact of pro-poor budgeting and can be used as a basis for more effective policy-making related to pro-poor budgeting in the Central Government. This research has significant benefits as a literature reference for students exploring related fields. This study can be used as an important reference by providing secondary data and in-depth analysis. In addition, the results of this study open up opportunities for further development by future researchers. Thus, this study enriches the academic literature and triggers future innovation and continuous research, ultimately contributing to the development of science and practical application in related fields.

Pengaruh Penerapan Sistem Akuntansi dan Kompetensi Sumber Daya Manusia Terhadap Kualitas Laporan Keuangan Daerah: Studi Kasus pada Badan Keuangan dan Aset Daerah Kabupaten Gorontalo

Regional government financial statements play a crucial role in developing regional government accountability. Thus, it must be quality as it will determine its possibility to be a reference of policy-making and beneficial for its users. This research aims to determine the influence of implementing an accounting system and human resource competency on the quality of regional financial statements at the Regional Financial and Asset Agency of Gorontalo Regency. This research uses a descriptive quantitative. The samples were determined through purposive sampling. This research uses primary data by distributing questionnaires to 41 respondents who manage financial statements. Then, the data are analyzed using multiple linear regression. The results showed that 1) the accounting system has a positive and significant influence on the quality of financial statement, 2) human resource competence has a positive and insignificant influence on the quality of financial statement, and 3) the accounting system and human resource competence simultaneously have a significant influence on the quality of financial statement at the Gorontalo Regency Regional Financial and Asset Agency.

Global COVID-19 Pandemic: Implemented Policies and Effective Measures Employed Worldwide

In this article, a comprehensive methodology has been used to investigate the policies and measures taken around the world in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. Research includes examining international reports, official government statements, and scientific literature from organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO). Analysis and synthesis of these resources were made to identify common trends, challenges and effective strategies used in different countries and regions. The methodology aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the global response to the Covid-19 pandemic, to provide insights into the effectiveness of these various policies and measures by addressing the measures taken and policies implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Then, he discussed the countries struggling with the covid-19 pandemic on a country basis and explained the policies and measures they took.

Financial accountability discharged from local government financial statements: an institutional theory approach to accounting change

Financial accountability discharged from local government financial statements: an institutional theory approach to accounting change

The Influence of Ideology on Translation: A Study of The Russia-Ukraine War

Ideology plays a huge role in translation, and it does affect the end product. The study shows that the influence of translation is influenced by the translator's ideology, the institution's ideology, or even the government's ideology. The study aims to investigate the influence of ideology on the translated text and the nature of ideology's function in translation, particularly during wartime. The study focuses on manipulated texts, headlines, and strategies used by translators as they change or rewrite the product of translation to reflect specific beliefs and viewpoints. The study is restricted to texts about the conflict between Russia and Ukraine; the source texts are in English, and the translations are in Arabic. The researcher applies Lefevere's model (1992) by comparing the source texts with their translations. Additionally, the analysis of the translations in the study makes use of critical discourse analysis following Fairclough's (1995) model. The strategies that were used by the translators to manipulate the texts were omission, addition, and lexicalization. The translators interfere in the ST by changing the intent of the original author without maintaining equivalence. The translations of the examples, taken from the RT Arabic Website, Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)website, and Al Emarat Alyoum website, reflect points of view about the Russia-Ukraine war in the countries where they are produced; these websites adopted the official government's statements and the position these governments take from the Russia-Ukraine war. As a result, translation can be used and seen as a political tool to accomplish certain objectives. It is advised to conduct more research to look into additional factors influencing translation as well as the authors' intentions.

Pengaruh Budget Transparency dan Fiscal Autonomy terhadap Financial Sustainability: Studi Empiris pada Kabupaten dan Kota di Indonesia

The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of budget transparency and fiscal autonomy on the financial sustainability of local governments in Indonesia. The data in this study were sourced from the Local Government Financial Statements obtained from the official website of the local government and the BPK RI website and TPAD data viewed on the official website of the local government. The sample collection method uses a purposive sampling method calculated using the Slovin formula. Hypothesis testing in this study uses multiple linear regression analysis. The results showed that budget transparency has no significant effect on financial sustainability and fiscal autonomy has a significant effect on financial sustainability.

The impact of audit findings and follow-up actions on audit recommendations on audit opinions of financial statements with APIP capabilities as a moderating variable (A study on provincial/regencies/cities governments in Suluttenggo Region)

The audit opinion issued on government financial statements is the conclusion of the BPK audit process. These opinions provide a qualitative picture of financial management, reflecting the accountability and transparency of local government. This research analyses the influence of audit findings and follow-up actions on audit recommendations (or TLRHP) on audit opinions and examines the moderating effect of APIP capabilities on this relationship. An analytical method employed is binary logistic regression analysis with the absolute difference test. This study used secondary data from the BPK IHPS and the Financial and Development Supervisory Agency (or BPKP) annual performance report. The data encompasses 37 provincial, regency, and city governments in North Sulawesi, Central Sulawesi, and Gorontalo for the fiscal period 2018 to 2022. The results reveal that audit findings have no significant impact on audit opinions. Conversely, both TLRHP and APIP capabilities have a significant influence on audit opinions. Furthermore, APIP capabilities moderate the relationship between TLRHP and audit opinions but not the relationship between audit findings and opinions.

Analysis of Local Government Financial Statements as A Basis for Making National Economic Recovery Loan (PEN) Policies in the Jakarta Provincial Government

This research was conducted to analyze local government financial statements as a basis for making decisions or policies on the use of Regional PEN Loans in the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government. Due to a decrease in revenue as a result of the co-19 pandemic, the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government is looking for other sources of funding to finance development to meet public services. The data used include budget and realization of regional income and expenditure, as well as the value of Construction in Progress which is supported by qualitative information in CaLK. The research method uses descriptive qualitative by collecting data in the form of images, numbers, tables, sentences, in the form of secondary data. The results of the study concluded that the information presented in the financial statements has an important role in assisting the policy making of the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government in applying for Regional PEN Loans and meeting the criteria as a loan recipient.

Quality Control and Quality Assurance of The BPK’s Audit of Regional Government Financial Statements Fiscal Year 2022 (Case Study at AKN VI)

Quality Control and Quality Assurance of The BPK’s Audit of Regional Government Financial Statements Fiscal Year 2022 (Case Study at AKN VI)

An Update on Viral Hepatitis B and C in Mexico: Advances and Pitfalls in Eradication Strategies.

In Mexico, hepatitis B and C infections are a significant burden on the health system. The aim of this narrative review was to analyze the state of the art on hepatitis B and C in Mexico by searching and studying available data in academic articles and government reports and statements on epidemiology, prevention, treatment, and elimination strategies undertaken by the Mexican government. Even where the government has implemented a hepatitis B vaccination strategy to reduce its incidence, a very low proportion of people complete the vaccination schedule. Regarding hepatitis C, there is a National Elimination Program that emphasizes the importance of screening, diagnosis, and treatment focused on the population at risk. With the implementation of this program, more than a million fast tests have been carried out and the positive cases have been verified by viral load. Infected patients are tested to determine liver function, fibrosis stage, and coinfection with HBV and/or HIV. Patients without cirrhosis and/or coinfections are treated in first-level care centers, while those with cirrhosis and/or comorbidities are referred to specialists. The possibility of hepatitis C eradication in Mexico seems more likely than eradication of hepatitis B; however, major challenges remain to be overcome to reach both infections' elimination.

Large‐scale marine protected areas and imaginaries of progress in ocean governance

AbstractLarge‐scale marine protected areas (LSMPAs) are an increasingly important feature of global conservation as countries strive to meet international commitments to protect 30% of all land and sea areas by 2030. In this paper, we contribute to current interest in the imaginaries that underpin environmental governance. Drawing together work on spatial and sociotechnical imaginaries, we examine how ocean imaginaries get bound up with the rise of large, protected areas in the ocean. We develop a typology of three ocean imaginaries associated with LSMPAs, which is elaborated through an empirical analysis of the political discourse that surrounded the designation of 17 LSMPAs since 2010. We examine extracts of government statements, speeches and press releases predominantly in news article sources and government websites to consider how these ocean imaginaries are institutionally stabilised and aligned with advances in science and technology. Our analysis reinforces an understanding that the kinds of spatial imaginaries that are created for environmental governance shape and are shaped by policy and management strategies. We also find that both visions of ocean spaces and the social worlds that perceive them can be multiple. We contend that research and policy need to recognise LSMPAs and other area‐based conservation measures as more‐than‐technical pursuits, and harness geographic scholarship to consider and enable a multiplicity of imaginaries in exploring options for environmental governance.

Influence of Internal Control and Implementation of Accounting Information Systems on The Quality of Regional Government Financial Reports

The research aims to assess the impact of internal control and the installation of accounting information systems on the quality of financial statements in local government. The independent variables examined in this study are internal control and accounting information systems. The dependent variable being investigated is the quality of local government financial statements. The population in this study consists of the work units (SKPD) in Bandung. The sample was selected using purposive sampling, and it includes employees from various institutions such as Inspektorat, BPK, BPPD, Office of Communications and Information, Library and Archives, Office of Investment and PTSP, Office of Spatial Planning and Administration, Administrative Assistant, and Finance Department. The sample includes employees with decision-making authority, such as heads of field and heads of sub-sections. Data collection is conducted by disseminating questionnaires to 50 participants within the organization. This study employed multiple linear regression analysis utilizing the SPSS 23.0 tool for Windows. The research findings indicate that internal control has a significant positive impact of 47.2% on the quality of financial statements in local government. Similarly, the deployment of accounting information systems has a positive effect of 23.6% on the quality of financial statements in local government. The internal control and accounting information systems have a combined impact of 55.3% on the quality of local government financial statements, while the provisions contribute 44.7%.

The Role of Public Expenditures on Community Welfare

AbstractThis study aims to determine whether public expenditures in meeting basic human needs affect community welfare. This study uses data on realizing the spending on education, health, and social protection as a proxy for public expenditures and the human development index for community welfare. This study indicates that education and health expenditures have a significant positive effect, while social protection expenditures have a significant negative effect. This study confirms disclosures in the Audit Report of the Audit Board of the Republic of Indonesia. The disclosures in Provincial Government Financial Statements in Indonesia state that the regional government prioritized meeting basic needs, education, health, and social on mandatory spending to improve the quality of community life. This research implies that social protection expenditure is not optimal for developing human capabilities. Keywords:Education Expenditure, Health Expenditure, Social Protection Expenditure, Human Capability, Community Welfare