Death Benefit Programme in Karangasem Suspended as Funds Run Dry
The budget for the Atma Kerthi programme in Karangasem Regency has been exhausted since the end of May 2026. As a result, members of the public or heirs who have processed death certificates for their family members between June and the present date have not yet been able to receive the Rp 2 million compensation.
The Head of the Karangasem Population and Civil Registration Office (Disdukcapil), I Made Kusuma Negara, stated that the budget for the Atma Kerthi programme in the 2026 Main Regional Budget (APBD Induk) was only Rp 2.5 billion. This amount was only sufficient to accommodate 1,250 applicants, with each receiving a compensation of Rp 2 million.
“The budget has been exhausted since the end of May, so for members of the public who have processed death certificates, compensation or assistance is temporarily unavailable,” said Kusuma Negara on Tuesday (7/7/2026).
According to Kusuma Negara, his office has informed all village heads so that this information can be relayed to residents processing death certificates for family members. This ensures the public is aware that compensation cannot be provided for the time being.
Kusuma Negara added that Disdukcapil will endeavour to secure additional funding for the Atma Kerthi programme through the 2026 Revised Regional Budget (APBD Perubahan). If additional funds become available, residents who have processed death certificates can apply for compensation at Disdukcapil, provided the death certificate was issued no later than 30 days after the individual’s passing.
“We will strive to ensure that those who have processed death certificates can receive compensation during the budget revision period. This will, of course, depend on the amount of funding received; if it remains insufficient, payments may only be possible next year,” Kusuma Negara said.
He revealed that the existence of the Atma Kerthi programme has encouraged the public to be more diligent in processing death certificates for their family members. As a result, population data in Karangasem Regency has become more organised.
“We also hope that, even though compensation is currently unavailable, the public will remain diligent in processing death certificates for deceased family members,” Kusuma Negara expressed.
For information, the budget for the Atma Kerthi programme in 2026 has decreased compared to the previous year. In 2025, the programme’s budget reached Rp 7 billion, whereas this year it is only Rp 2.5 billion due to budget rationalisation following cuts in regional transfer funds from the central government.