Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai Asks For A Budget Of IDR 20 Trillion, Commission XII Of The House Of Representatives Will Consider

Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai/DOK ANTARA/Fath Putra Mulya

JAKARTA - Commission XIII of the House of Representatives highlighted the proposal of the Minister of Human Rights (HAM), Natalius Pigai so that his ministry's budget was increased from IDR 64 billion to IDR 20 trillion.

As a working partner, the Chairman of Commission XIII of the DPR, Willy Aditya, said that his party would investigate the request of the Minister of Human Rights in a working meeting scheduled for Monday, October 28, next week.

"Because this is still a new ministry, what priorities should be considered first in this new ministry? Is the HR problem, the system problem, organization or something. Let the existing funds now be effective," said Willy, Wednesday, October 23.

Meanwhile, Willy continued, the Ministry of Human Rights' budget for next year will be knocked out in the 2025 State Budget. So there needs to be an application in the 2026 State Budget draft.

"In the meantime, of course, the budget is the president himself, we will see later, then it's only a mechanism to go to Banggar, after all, there's also no APBNP, right, it means that we both know that this is moving with the budget that we have knocked," he said.

The NasDem politician understands that Natalius Pigai, who is now trusted by President Prabowo Subianto to become Minister of Human Rights, has his own considerations to ask for additional budgets. However, Willy said, the DPR needs to see urgent matters that require an additional budget of up to tens of trillions.

"Of course Natalius has his own considerations, has his own references, we'll wait for what later, we also can't respond to anything, because Rp20 trillion is whatever the consideration is, what will be explored, whatever he wants to do. Of course we have to see," explained Willy.

"But at least with the establishment of the Ministry of Human Rights, all my friends, human rights is the spirit of our state process, that's the most important thing," added the former Deputy Chairman of the Legislative Council.

Willy assessed that the additional budget from Rp. 64 billion to Rp. 20 trillion was indeed appropriate if it was intended for basic human rights. Such as getting nutritious food, getting housing, and other fundamental matters related to humanity.

"So we see what the overlapping will be like. If we look at it, the most important thing is the institutionalization process. What is the domain of the ministry, what is the domain of Komnas HAM. We have Komnas, sir. Friends don't forget that. That's a long time ago. Then what is the domain of the Ministry of Human Rights? What is the domain of Komnas HAM?," he explained.

"So we can look into it later on Monday, so that each of them can be optimal and not overlap with one another," added Willy.

Previously, Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai asked for his ministry's budget to be overhauled, from Rp. 64 billion to Rp. 20 trillion. That way, according to him, human rights development can be maximized according to President Prabowo Subianto's vision.

Pigai said the development of human rights includes physical and non-physical. Therefore, a small budget cannot be given.

"Why does the president want to make a ministry of human rights? It means that there is something big that wants to be made. So the transition team, the pond is a budget. The reshuffle, out of 20 trillion, only 40 billion cannot. The ideals and visions of the President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto cannot be achieved. That's it and thank you," said Pigai in a welcoming speech at the Ministry of Law and Human Rights Building, South Jakarta, Monday, October 21.