“If they don’t pay during the 2019 regional budget (APBD) adjustment, then they could do it at the beginning of 2020,” I Nyoman Kesuma, chief executive at the Klungkung General Hospital, told Tribun-Bali, explaining the outcome of a recent meeting he held with officials from Karangasem. 

Kesuma said that the money will also be used to finally compensate hospital staff, whose payments are reportedly pending due to the debt. 

“If the debt is not paid, then the staff must be willing to let go of the service payment,” Kesuma said. 

However, AA Gde Anom, who heads the Regional Legislative Council (DPRD) in Klungkung, emphasized that Karangasem must take responsibility and pay off those debts. 

“These people have provided their services based on humanitarian reasons, but don’t use the same reason to sacrifice what is actually their rights,” Anom was quoted as saying. 

Anom highlighted that Karangasem has a larger budget compared to Klungkung, the latter of which was willing to help solve the debt issue.

“If Karangasem cannot pay the debts, this issue with the payment can be taken to the provincial or central government,” Anom noted.

Read more news and updates from Bali here.

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