Bengkulu Governor Says Central Government Programmes Worth Over IDR 2 Trillion

Bengkulu Governor Helmi Hasan has stated that central government support for the province, channelled through various ministerial and institutional programmes from the state budget (APBN), has surpassed IDR 2 trillion. “More than IDR 2 trillion in state budget funds have entered here, from ministries and institutions. Whereas we only made efficiency savings of around IDR 300 billion, almost IDR 400 billion, but it was returned in the form of programmes worth more than IDR 2 trillion,” Helmi said in Bengkulu on Friday. He made the statement in response to President Prabowo Subianto’s address at the 2024 Annual Session of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) and the Joint Session of the House of Representatives (DPR) and the Regional Representatives Council (DPD). According to him, the central government’s support is realised through various programmes in sectors such as education, agriculture, and infrastructure. In the education sector, Bengkulu received two Sekolah Rakyat (People’s Schools) programmes, one in Bengkulu City and one in Kaur Regency, as well as a Sekolah Garuda programme. Helmi said the total central government support for the two Sekolah Rakyat and the Sekolah Garuda reached almost IDR 1 trillion. In the agricultural sector, the central government is also providing support through a rice field printing programme to add new agricultural areas. “Then there is also the agricultural programme. We also received new paddy field printing where there were none before,” he said. Helmi added that central government support also covers the construction of bridges and various other infrastructure projects. “God willing, the central government will continue to assist and support programmes in Bengkulu Province. And we continue to strive to maintain good communication between ministries and institutions,” he stated. He noted that synergy between the central and regional governments is necessary so that national programmes can be implemented according to the needs of the people of Bengkulu. In his speech, President Prabowo outlined eight National Priority Work Programmes in the 2027 Draft State Budget, covering food sovereignty; energy and water self-sufficiency; education; health; downstreaming and industrialisation; infrastructure, housing and disaster resilience; strengthening the people’s economy and village development; and poverty reduction. The Bengkulu Provincial Government stated it will align regional development programmes with central government policy directions.