DPD Value Observers Don't Have Sense Of Crisis

JAKARTA - Legal and Development Observer Hardjuno Wiwoho strongly criticized the policy of increasing the number of recesses in the DPD RI from October to December 2025, where it should have been once, to twice.

The decision to increase the number of recesses from four to five times in the last year of trial is considered not in accordance with statutory provisions and can lead to violations of the principle of state financial management. This is because the DPD recess must follow the DPR recess period. Meanwhile, in the range from October to December 2025, the DPR has only one recess.

"I think, apart from violating the MD3 Law, the addition of this recess will certainly put a lot of pressure on our APBN. This reflects that policymakers in DPD do not have a sense of crisis," said Hardjuno in Jakarta, Friday, January 17.

Hardjuno emphasized that the people's tax money used to finance the addition of the recess for members of the DPD RI is very large. In fact, the figure reaches billions of rupiah.

"We know that the recess money given cumulatively to members of the DPR and DPD is quite large. If I'm not mistaken, everyone receives approximately 350 million rupiah per recess. Meanwhile, the number of DPD members is now 152 people. So just multiply it, how much is the APBN money drained for the addition of this DPD RI recess," said Hardjuno.

Hardjuno, who is also a researcher in the study of confiscation of assets in several countries, said that the addition of the DPD RI recess could be considered inconsistent with the principles of efficiency and accountability as regulated in the law governing state financial management.

"So far, the schedule for hearings and DPD recesses has been synchronized with the DPR to ensure that the legislative, supervisory, and representation functions run effectively," he said.

In Hardjuno's view, this step of addition of recess can injure the principles of state financial governance.

"We ask to stop wasting APBN funds for this recess activity," he asked.

Hardjuno also explained that corrupt behavior is not only in the form of acts against the law directly, but also behavior that does not comply with the basic principles of state financial management. In this context, the principle of justice, transparency, and responsibility must still be enforced.

Therefore, he hopes that this criticism can be a concern for the leadership of the DPD RI to be wiser in making budget policies.

"We hope that all parties involved will be open to criticism and immediately take corrective steps to improve the policies that have been taken," he said.

Previously, the Indonesian Corruption Workflow Investigation (ICWI), asked the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to investigate the alleged violations that occurred.

According to ICWI, the increase in the number of recesses that are not in accordance with the rules has implications for the improper use of the state budget, especially in the midst of deficit state fiscal conditions.

"We support ICWI's move for the sake of orderly state financial management," he concluded.