Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Criticises South Sumatra Regional Assembly's Billiard Table Budget: Reallocate It!

Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Bima Arya has responded to the budget allocation of two billiard tables for the official residences of two South Sumatra Regional Assembly (DPRD Sumsel) leaders. Bima stated that budget allocation should remain based on the principle of urgency and utility.

“Budget allocation should be based on the principles of urgency and benefit,” said Bima Arya when reached on Tuesday (10 March 2026).

Bima believed the budget should be used for more beneficial purposes. He expressed hope that the budget would be reallocated for other uses.

“It would be better to reallocate it for something that provides greater benefit to public services or performance,” he said.

It is known that DPRD Sumsel Chair Andie Dinialdie has previously discussed the procurement of two billiard tables for the official residences of two DPRD Sumsel leaders valued at 486.9 million rupiah. He stated that the billiard tables were still in the planning stage.

“I have already contacted the Secretariat to clarify regarding the procurement of these items. However, for your information, all of this is still in the planning stage; there has been no purchase yet,” said Andie, as reported by detikSumbagsel on Sunday (8 March).

From data from the General Procurement Plan Information System (SIRUP) of the Government Goods/Services Procurement Policy Institute (LKPP) from the DPRD Sumsel Secretariat as of 7 March 2026, the planned procurement of a billiard table for the chair is valued at 151 million rupiah and for the third vice chair at 335.9 million rupiah.

Andie, who also serves as Chair of the Indonesian Billiards Sports Association (POBSI) Sumsel, stated that the billiard tables would serve as alternative training facilities for South Sumatra’s billiard athletes.

“So besides the existing location, they could also train at the official residence,” he said.