Kaltara DPRD Denies "Foya-foya" Issue of Rp12.48 Billion Budget, Consumption for Thousands of Residents

TANJUNG SELOR - The Secretariat of the North Kalimantan Provincial DPRD (Kaltara) finally spoke out, regarding the controversy over the 2026 fiscal year's food and drink budget which was said to have reached Rp. 12.48 billion.

Secretary of the Council (Sekwan), Mohammad Pandi emphasized that the budget was not for the internal interests or "foya-foya" of council members, but purely to support activities involving the wider community.

He also assessed that the developing news had the potential to be misleading if it was not understood in its entirety. Because, this eating and drinking expenditure is attached to all the activities of the community that directly contact the community.

"This is not consumption for the council alone. This is for the public who attend council activities, such as recess, visiting the electoral district (Kundapil), socialization of regional regulations (Perda) or Sosperda, socialization of Ranperda (Sosranperda), to public hearings (RDP) and plenary meetings. All of these involve the public," he said, Monday (30/3/2026).

He explained that in one year, DPRD members held a recess three times in all electoral districts (Dapil). Each council member held activities in five points, with a total of about 150 people per point.

"Try to count, one council member alone can involve hundreds of people in one recess. Multiply by 35 council members, that's thousands of people who have been facilitated. So it's normal if the consumption needs are large," he explained.

Not only a recess, the Sosperda and Sosranperda activities are also routinely held in each electoral district. In fact, these activities can take place every two months, depending on the availability of budget.

"In addition, RDP which is often held suddenly is also a factor in increasing consumption needs. RDP usually brings together the community, OPD, and other parties in a not insignificant number," said Pandi.

"RDP is unpredictable. When many complaints come in, we have to facilitate. It is impossible for our community to invite without being prepared for consumption, especially if it lasts until meal time," he continued.

Pandi revealed that the figure of Rp. 12 billion is the ceiling of the overall budget, not the exact amount spent. The realization also depends on the intensity of activities throughout the year.

"If it is not used, the budget will return to the regional treasury as Silpa. So it is not right to think that it will definitely be spent," he said.

Pandi revealed that in 2026, his party had carried out budget efficiency for council activities of around Rp. 4 billion compared to the previous year. Savings were made by reducing a number of activities and eliminating hotel rental costs for council meetings.

"Now meetings are no longer in hotels. We have cut it down but consumption still exists because it concerns the service to the community. Council members if in Tarakan use Banhub facilities, so don't say there is no efficiency," he said.

Pandi added that the management of consumption is entirely carried out through a third party officially appointed, not directly managed by board members.

"This is a public service budget, the goal is to support the council in absorbing the aspirations of the community as much as possible," he concluded.