PSU Pilkada, Ministry of Home Affairs Checks Budget Capacity of 24 Regional Governments

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The central government is opening up the possibility of contributing to the funding of the 2024 Regional Head Election re-vote or PSU. Nevertheless, the Ministry of Home Affairs will first review the Regional Revenue and Expenditure Budget in each region holding the PSU to ensure the actual financial capacity of each region.

More than a week after the Constitutional Court (MK) delivered its ruling to hold a re-vote (PSU) for the 2024 Regional Head Elections (Pilkada) in 24 regions, the issue of PSU funding remains unresolved. The government is still seeking solutions regarding the funding for the PSU, which is estimated to require a budget of Rp 1 trillion.

Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Bima Arya Sugiarto, when met at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday (4/3/2025), stated that the central government would contribute to funding the 2024 Regional Election Re-voting (PSU) through the State Budget (APBN). However, this funding cannot be fully covered. He also could not yet confirm the proportion that could be borne by the central government, as it must first be discussed with the Ministry of Finance.

"We'll see what percentage of the sharing is. But I don't think it's 100 percent. There must be a component from the APBD (city/district) or from the province, then the rest is covered by the APBN (State Budget)," said Bima.

Therefore, he continued, the Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri) is still coordinating with local governments (pemda) in 24 regions to discuss the budget readiness for the implementation of PSU.

Based on the meeting held online on Tuesday afternoon, some regions declared their readiness to conduct the PSU using their regional budgets. However, many other regions have yet to provide clarity regarding their funding capabilities.

He continued, the Ministry of Home Affairs will follow up on the online coordination directly. "Later, we will visit them one by one, investigate, and review their regional budgets. Because if they claim to be incapable, we must verify whether they truly are incapable," said Bima.

In addition to ensuring the real readiness of the Regional Budget (APBD), the Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri) will also scrutinize the composition of the PSU budget prepared by each region. Several unnecessary activities will be eliminated or shifted to other, more prioritized activities. "Budgeting must be in its minimal version," said Bima.

Furthermore, if the APBD is deemed capable of financing the PSU, then these regions are welcome to continue organizing the PSU. However, if not, the financing will be delegated to the higher level of government.

For example, if the district/city APBD is proven to be insufficient to finance the PSU, then the financing will be transferred to the relevant provincial APBD. At the next level, if the province is also unable to finance it, then it will be financed by the central government.

Bima added that coordination with the 24 regions that will hold the PSU will be intensified. This is because there is a deadline given by the General Election Commission (KPU) regarding the discussion of the PSU budget. Therefore, he is committed to maximum coordination so that the PSU, both those held in all polling stations (TPS) and some, can be held properly.

Based on the records of the Ministry of Home Affairs, of the 24 districts/cities that will hold PSU, only eight regional governments (Pemda) stated that they are able to finance PSU with the APBD. Meanwhile, 14 other Pemda are unable or still need financial assistance, either from the APBD or APBN.

The regions experiencing budget difficulties are Papua Province; Talaud Islands Regency, Buru, Taliabu Island, Pasaman, Empat Lawang, Pesawaran, South Bengkulu, Serang, Tasikmalaya, Boven Digoel, North Gorontalo, Parigi Moutong; and the cities of Banjarbaru, Palopo, and Sabang (Kompas, 4/3/2025).

Previously, KPU Chairman Mochammad Afifuddin admitted that the current challenges in implementing PSU are mainly related to budget coordination. As a budget user, KPU is trying to communicate with the Ministry of Home Affairs. The communication is intended to ask for a solution whether PSU can be implemented with the APBD or requires support from the APBN.

So far, Afif said, his party is still checking whether there is a provincial APBD that can still be used to finance PSU in districts/cities that cannot use their APBD. However, it is also not certain whether it can be used directly or not. The mechanism for its use still needs to be coordinated with the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Finance, and other agencies.

Contacted separately, member of Commission II of the House of Representatives from the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) faction Mardani Ali Sera said that the PSU funding should be entirely taken from the APBN. This is because it is difficult for regions to use the APBD to organize PSU. Moreover, now regional transfer funds from the central government have also been reduced.

Mardani admitted that currently the central government is indeed intensifying efficiency and budget cuts. However, if there is no initiative from the center to finance PSU in the regions, he believes this financial problem will drag on. "If this matter drags on, it could cause PSU to decline in quality," he said.

In addition, said Mardani, the government must also move quickly. This is because the implementation of the PSU is bound by a 60-day deadline after the Constitutional Court's decision regarding the order to hold the PSU is read out. Making decisions quickly is also believed to make the process of holding the 2024 Pilkada PSU easier and cheaper.