Beneficial for Residents: Semarang City Government's RT Operational Assistance Programme Achieves 95.6% Absorption

Mayor of Semarang Agustina Wilujeng has taken strategic steps amid discussions by the Special Committee (Pansus) of the Semarang City DPRD regarding the allocation of RT Operational Assistance (BOP) totalling Rp265.7 billion. The city government is targeting the completion of a Mayoral Regulation (Perwal) on the Rp25 million BOP for RTs within the next three weeks.

Behind the process of finalising this regulation, the city government emphasises that the programme’s benefits have already been felt by residents since its first year of implementation. This extends beyond budget absorption to include social and environmental impacts at the RT level.

“We want to ensure that RT BOP funds are not just for administration but can be directly felt by residents for environmental improvements. And in fact, from the reports we have received, those benefits are already there. We just need to refine the rules to make them more flexible going forward,” said Agustina in a written statement on Sunday (19/4/2026).

In terms of realisation, the programme’s absorption rate has reached 95.6 per cent, or 10,157 out of a total of 10,621 RTs. This figure is seen to reflect the high demand as well as the direct benefits felt by the community.

Meanwhile, the unabsorbed budget remains around Rp5.46 billion, or 2.1 per cent of the total Rp265.7 billion, indicating efficient use of funds.

“If this programme were not beneficial, the rejection rate would surely be much higher. The fact that 95.6 per cent of RTs have taken the funds and used them for activities that touch residents is the most concrete evidence. We don’t need lofty claims. Just ask the RT chairs and their residents,” Agustina stated.

In response to criticism from the DPRD Pansus regarding macro indicators such as reductions in stunting, dengue haemorrhagic fever (DBD), or waste management, the city government has expressed openness to such evaluations. However, it assesses that short-term impacts are already visible at the neighbourhood level.

“Macro benefits like reducing stunting rates cannot happen in one year. It requires sustained interventions. But we have already seen the momentum building. Posyandus are more active, environments are cleaner, and residents are more cooperative. That is a foundation that is no less important,” she said.

The city government emphasises that drafting the Perwal is not to change the programme’s direction but to enhance the flexibility of fund usage, including proposals for small-scale environmental infrastructure needs.

“We are absorbing input. Some want these funds to be used for buying sand or cement for small drainage repairs. That is under review. But we must avoid overlap with the technical departments’ authority. Clearly, the programme’s essence remains the same: strengthening RTs as the frontline,” she added.

With a 95.6 per cent absorption rate, positive testimonials from RT chairs, and the mayor’s commitment to continuously refining regulations, the Semarang RT BOP programme demonstrates that it is not merely ceremonial. This programme is a social investment that is beginning to yield results, although the journey is still long.

The Semarang City Government, through the Department of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (DP3A), has recorded several benefits of the programme throughout 2025, including increased frequency and quality of posyandu activities, as cadres can now hold events more routinely, equip weighing tools, and provide supplementary food for toddlers.

Additionally, the programme has encouraged the revitalisation of gotong royong. BOP funds have been used for periodic community work with adequate equipment, such as brooms, rubbish carts, and paint for public facilities. The programme also supports the ‘Semarang Bersih’ priority, including waste sorting, small channel maintenance, and reducing flood-prone spots.

Chair of RT 02 RW 03 in Bambankerep Village, Ngaliyan Subdistrict, Sutriyoso, said he has directly felt the impact.

“With the BOP, we can buy equipment for community work and hold cleanliness competitions between RWs. Residents are more enthusiastic. This is not floating funds,” said Sutriyoso.

Something similar was expressed by Chair of RT 03 RW 05 in Ngaliyan Subdistrict, Wahab Sya’roni.

“The posyandu in our area is now more organised. Babies and toddlers are weighed regularly. The mothers are happy,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, Chair of RT 08/RW 19 in Sendangmulyo Village, Tembalang, Langgeng Sugiharjo, also said he has been helped by this programme. He even hopes that the Rp25 million annual assistance can be disbursed soon in 2026.