Alif Ilham Fajriadi, Jakarta – Members of the House of Representatives' (DPR) Commission V expressed surprise upon learning that the Public Works and Housing Ministry's effective budget for 2025 had quietly risen from Rp50.48 trillion to Rp73.76 trillion. The ministry failed to notify lawmakers of the increase, which followed the partial lifting of a prior budget block imposed as part of President Prabowo Subianto's efficiency policy.
Commission V chairman Lasarus said the only budget figure officially acknowledged by the House was Rp50.48 trillion, based on the outcomes of a working meeting with the ministry on February 13 and referencing Finance Minister Letter No. S-75/MK.02/2025.
"I had no idea there was any addition," Lasarus said during a follow-up meeting with the minister at the Parliament Complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Wednesday, May 7.
While Commission V does not necessarily object to the additional funding, Lasarus warned that bypassing the House in such matters undermines democratic principles and opens the door to procedural violations.
"Say, for example, a tender has already been issued, but this addition was never discussed here. I can guarantee, 1,000 percent, that none of us in the leadership of Commission V will sign off on it. I'm sure the members would agree because we never deliberated on it," said the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) lawmaker.
Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo admitted fault and apologized to the commission. He explained that he was unaware of the correct procedure for reporting such changes.
"We apologize for not sending a letter seeking approval when the block was lifted. That was my mistake, due to a lack of understanding," Dody said during the meeting.
According to Dody, the ministry had not received an official document from the Finance Ministry regarding the added funds. Internally, he was shown budget data indicating that the ministry's allocation remained at Rp110.95 trillion, with part of it still frozen under a 'starred' status, meaning it could not yet be disbursed. As of March 23, the effective budget rose to Rp73.76 trillion.
He noted that the increase was partly based on the ministry's funding requests discussed during the February working meeting with Commission V. These included allocations for irrigation projects, infrastructure preservation, and labor-intensive programs. "Upon our request, a portion of the previously frozen funds was added to the Rp50.48 trillion effective budget. The first stage of the block release took place on March 25, 2025," he said.
Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/2004710/dpr-shocked-by-rp73-76tn-budget-surge-at-public-works-ministr