JAKARTA The Indonesian Forum for Budget Transparency (FITRA) urges West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi to revoke Governor's Circular (SE) Number 149 of 2025 concerning the Sapoe Sarebu or Poe Ibu Rereongan program.
FITRA researcher, Betta Anugrah assessed, the program has the potential to become a covert levy even though it is claimed to be a voluntary mutual cooperation movement.
"FITRA recommends KDM or the West Java Provincial Government to revoke the policy/SE. The provincial government should not use the narrative of community solidarity as a substitute for the APBD," Betta said in a statement, Friday, October 10.
Through the SE, people are invited to set aside a thousand rupiahs every day to support education and health financing in West Java.
However, Betta assessed that the spirit of mutual cooperation in this program actually changed the meaning when it was institutionalized through an official circular from the regional government.
FITRA highlights that legally, the governor's SE is not binding for the public or the private sector.
"When accompanied by a specific nominal target, this so-called voluntary policy has the potential to become coercion," said Betta.
This force, he continued, could appear at various levels such as schools, government agencies, or the community if there are targets that must be met.
It is feared that this condition will cause social tensions between residents who participate and do not participate, as well as open up negative stigma opportunities for those who do not donate.
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In addition, FITRA assesses that the capabilities of human resources and governance at the lower level are also not necessarily ready to manage public funds that are collected massively.
"The financing mechanism through community donations is in doubt of its effectiveness. Not to mention, doubts arise from a number of people regarding its use. Do not let the donation ultimately reach the root of the problem for spending; such as meeting costs, coordination and transportation," he added.
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