Central Government Does Not Want to Be Burdened with PSU Pilkada Budget

JAKARTA, KOMPAS - The Ministry of Home Affairs has confirmed that the budget for the implementation of the re-voting in regional head elections in 24 regions will come from the Regional Revenue and Expenditure Budget or APBD. The budget is sourced from the reallocation and efficiency of the APBD, ensuring it does not burden the State Revenue and Expenditure Budget or APBN.

Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian stated that no region requires the national budget (APBN) because the available regional budgets (APBD) are still sufficient after efficiency measures and budget reallocations.

"Most of it is funded by each regional budget. We are examining regions whose budgets are inefficient. We are asking for cuts and reductions in unnecessary expenditures for PSU (re-voting)," he stated at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, Friday (7/3/2025).

According to Tito, there are two models of PSU financing. First, the budget is entirely sourced from the Regional Budget (APBD). This financing model is primarily for regions that conduct PSU only in certain polling stations.

The second model involves PSU funding sourced from the district/city APBD and supplemented by the provincial APBD. This financing is only applicable to districts/cities with limited budgets that are unable to meet the full funding requirements for PSU. Regions utilizing this funding model from district/city and provincial APBD are generally those conducting PSU across their entire territory.

Tito continued, the Papua Province initially stated that it was unable to meet the PSU budget and therefore requested assistance from the national budget (APBN). However, his party requested a reallocation of the already established budget. Ultimately, the PSU budget for Papua was able to be fulfilled by the Papua Province's regional budget (APBD).

"Previously, Papua was the one who proposed the APBN. But this morning, I just had a meeting, and Papua is able to pass its APBD," he said.

As is known, the Constitutional Court (MK) has determined the implementation of PSU in 24 regions and a recount of votes in one region in the decision on the dispute over the results of the 2024 Pilkada on February 25, 2025.

Regarding the PSU in 24 regions, 14 regions were asked to implement PSU for the entire region, while 10 other regions PSU in some TPS. In addition, 11 regions required to PSU were asked to replace candidates or candidate pairs because they were disqualified by the Constitutional Court.

The regions that are implementing PSU throughout the region are the Provinces of Papua, Boven Digoel, Mahakam Ulu, Pesawaran, Palopo City, and South Bengkulu. Then the cities of Banjarbaru, Pasaman, Tasikmalaya, Empat Lawang, Serang, Kutai Kartanegara, North Gorontalo, and Parigi Moutong.

Meanwhile, the regions implementing PSU in some TPS are North Barito, Magetan, West Bangka, and Siak. Next are Buru, Sabang City, Talaud Islands, Banggai, Bungo, and Taliabu Island.

"There are six regions that are still recalculating their PSU needs, but they stated that they are able to finance the PSU from the APBD," said Tito without mentioning the regions.

Based on calculations by various parties, the PSU budget is estimated to reach IDR 1 trillion. The General Election Commission (KPU) detailed the PSU budget requirement of IDR 486 billion, the Election Supervisory Body (Bawaslu) of IDR 251 billion, and the budget requirement for security.

In a working meeting with Commission II of the House of Representatives on February 27, the Ministry of Home Affairs conveyed that of the 24 regions that would hold PSU, only eight regional governments stated that they were able to finance the PSU with the APBD. Meanwhile, 14 other regional governments were unable or still needed financial assistance, either from the APBD or the APBN.

Previously, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Ribka Haluk, said that PSU funding mainly comes from the Revised Regional Budget (APBD). The budget can be allocated from Unexpected Expenditures (BTT), Budget Calculation Surplus (SILPA), and remaining KPU funds at the provincial and district/city levels.

"So what we have to ensure is the funds, the provision of funds for the KPU, Bawaslu, and the security forces. Security in this case the TNI and Polri. Then the changes to the NPHD (Regional Grant Agreement Manuscript)," he said.

His party will also review directly to the regions implementing PSU to ensure budget readiness and obtain updated information. Because, the regional government must rationalize the existing funding scheme and allocate the budget effectively.

"I think in the current efficiency process, perhaps there are funds that are already available. How do we encourage our friends in the regions to perhaps use unused funds or activities that are not implemented. Well, this is what we might try to find a scheme for," said Ribka.