East Java DPRD Speaker Says Budget Must Benefit the Public
Surabaya (ANTARA) - East Java DPRD Speaker Musyafak Rouf has called for allocations in the Regional Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBD) to be directed towards programmes that have a tangible impact on improving public welfare.
Speaking at a special plenary session of the East Java DPRD in Surabaya on Monday, marking the province’s 81st anniversary, Musyafak said development should not be measured solely by growth figures, but also by the benefits experienced by all sections of society.
“Regional policies and budgets must create jobs, improve the quality of education and healthcare, reduce poverty, and ensure the welfare of farmers and fishers,” he said.
He said the East Java DPRD would make the most of the legislature’s three main functions: drafting regional regulations, budgeting and oversight.
According to Musyafak, the preparation and allocation of the APBD must be based on the public’s priority needs and geared towards improving welfare.
Data from regional budget discussions show that East Java’s revised 2026 APBD sets regional revenue at around Rp26.52 trillion and spending at around Rp29.9 trillion.
Meanwhile, the draft East Java APBD for 2027 projects regional revenue of Rp26.407 trillion and planned expenditure of Rp27.423 trillion.
This means planned regional spending for 2027 is around Rp2.48 trillion lower than the expenditure allocation in the revised 2026 APBD.
The 2027 draft budget is still under discussion, so its figures may change before it is approved.
Musyafak said the province’s anniversary should serve as an opportunity to review development outcomes and the challenges that still need to be addressed.
“The anniversary should be an opportunity to reflect on achievements, assess challenges and strengthen our shared commitment as we look to the future, rather than being merely an annual ceremony,” he said.
The theme of East Java’s 81st anniversary is “East Java: Excellence and Sustainable Progress”.
Musyafak explained that excellence in East Java meant making the most of regional potential, improving the quality of human resources, strengthening economic competitiveness and fostering innovation that benefits the public.
He said sustainable progress meant that development should not focus only on short-term goals, but should also protect the environment and the welfare of future generations.
He said East Java played an important role in the national economy and Indonesia’s food security.
The province’s potential in agriculture, maritime industries, manufacturing, trade, tourism and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), he said, needed to be managed professionally, transparently and fairly.
Musyafak also stressed the importance of cooperation between the DPRD and the East Java Provincial Government. He called on young people to develop their capabilities, master technology and uphold integrity as part of regional development.