Deputy Minister Of Public Works Ensures Salaries Of Operational Officers And Maintenance That Are In Arrears Are Immediately Paid

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Public Works (PU) has ensured the payment of salaries for Operations and Maintenance Officers (OP) at the Directorate General of Water Resources (SDA). This follows news of salary collection in a number of areas.

Deputy Minister of Public Works Diana Kusumastuti apologized for the incident. He also ensured that the opening of the Ministry of Public Works budget blocking by the Ministry of Finance (Kemenkeu), so that salary payments could be made immediately.

"We apologize profusely. Currently, we have just finished the opening of the budget blocking and are currently submitting a salary payer to the local State Treasury Service Office (KPPN)," Diana said when met at her office, Wednesday, March 12.

Diana said that the payment of the OP officer's salary is targeted to be resolved this week. The hope is that the problem can be resolved before the Eid holiday or to be precise on March 26.

"Hopefully this week we can finish it. No later than 26 (March) before the holidays," he said.

He explained that the opening of the Ministry of Pu's budget blocking had been carried out shortly after his party held a meeting with the DPR RI. His party then immediately wrote to the Ministry of Finance (Kemenkeu).

Shortly after, the Ministry of Finance reviewed the use of the Public Works budget. Based on the Letter of Determination of Budget Revision (SPRA), Diana said, the budget had started to be disbursed at the end of February 2025.

"This means that it has been processed, yes, it has been in the process of melting. Hopefully there will be more liquid, yes. But, we are still trying, we are still coordinating again with friends from the Ministry of Finance," he said.

Previously, the Minister of Public Works, Dody Hanggodo, reiterated that there were no steps to cut off mass employment (PHK) for operations and maintenance officers (OP) of water resources in the ministry he leads.

The statement answered the issue that circulated some time ago that more than 18,000 OP personnel would be laid off due to budget efficiency. However, this information proved not true aka hoax.

He considered that OP officers had an important role in maintaining irrigation for national food security. This is also in line with President Prabowo Subianto's Astacita vision.

" OP officers are at the forefront of maintaining irrigation that supports national food security and supports programs that are President Prabowo's priority," said Dody as quoted from an upload to the official Instagram account @kementerianpu, Tuesday, February 25.

According to Dody, currently most OP officers are still carrying out their duties as usual. After a search, the fact is that OP officers are not dismissed, but their contract period has expired.

Currently, the workers are in the process of reviewing for the evaluation and extension of the contract. This step is part of the applicable administrative mechanism and is carried out in accordance with operational needs in the field.

"Alhamdulillah, most of the OP officers continue to carry out their duties as usual. Thank you also to the hall heads for their coordination and support," he said.