Gerindra Branch Withdraws from Call for Regent Masinton's Impeachment
Five political parties floated the idea of impeaching the Regent of Tapanuli Tengah (Tapteng), Masinton Pasaribu, over allegations of low absorption of the 2026 regional budget (APBD). The Gerindra branch leadership (DPC) has now stated it is withdrawing from the joint statement issued by the five parties.
As reported by detikSumut on Tuesday (8/9/2026), the impeachment call came to light through a video circulating on social media. The five political parties were Gerindra, NasDem, Golkar, PKB, and PAN.
“We sat together to respond to developments currently unfolding in Tapanuli Tengah Regency, particularly regarding the leadership of Regent Masinton Pasaribu, whom we regard as negligent and weak in running the machinery of government,” said Hazmi Arif Simatupang, Chair of the Gerindra DPC in Tapteng, in the video at the time.
Hazmi explained that Tapteng’s 2026 APBD absorption stood at only 30 per cent as of August. They therefore judged Masinton unprofessional in managing the budget.
“For that reason, we the five parties wish to convey our joint stance: first, we regret the unprofessional budget management and the lack of capability in managing the APBD, which can be seen from information obtained that the 2026 APBD absorption of Tapanuli Tengah Regency as of August had only reached 30 per cent,” he said.
Most recently, Hazmi stated that he was withdrawing that statement. He said the Gerindra DPC was no longer involved in the joint statement.
“I, Hazmi Arif Simatupang, Chair of the Gerindra DPC of Tapanuli Tengah Regency, hereby declare that we are withdrawing the statement we made in the joint stance of the five political parties — Golkar, NasDem, Gerindra, PKB, and PAN — delivered some time ago,” he said in a video received by detikcom.
“And going forward, the Gerindra DPC will no longer be involved in that joint stance,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Chair of Gerindra’s North Sumatra provincial leadership (DPD), Ade Jona Prasetyo, said the DPC’s statement had been made without coordination with either the DPD or the central board (DPP). Gerindra, he said, supports the stability of governance in Tapteng.
“As Chair of the Gerindra DPD of North Sumatra, I state that the stance of the Tapteng Regency Gerindra DPC was made without coordination with the DPD or the DPP. Gerindra supports the stability of governance in Tapteng,” he said.
Ade called on all parties to unite and support one another for post-disaster recovery in Tapanuli Tengah Regency.
“Gerindra calls on all parties to unite and support each other for post-disaster recovery in Tapanuli Tengah,” he said.
Masinton Responds to Impeachment Talk
Masinton has already responded to the impeachment talk. He asked all parties to stop the political tug-of-war and focus on recovery and development in Tapteng.
“I invite all political elements, government institutions, community figures, community organisations, and the wider public to jointly put an end to the tug-of-war over political interests and direct all our energy towards disaster recovery and regional development,” Masinton Pasaribu said in his statement.
Masinton said that since the start of his administration, efforts to build communication and embrace all elements had been continuously undertaken. Differences of view, criticism, and oversight, he said, are part of democracy.
Regarding life-sustenance assistance (jadup), Masinton said aid had been channelled directly to around 10,752 households, or roughly 46,000 disaster-affected residents. Based on communication with the Ministry of Social Affairs, Masinton said the next phase of jadup distribution would be realised in September for some 130,000 people.
“Based on communication with the Ministry of Social Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, the government is planning the next phase of distribution to around 34,000 households, or roughly 130,000 people, planned for realisation in September 2026, in accordance with the central government’s readiness and distribution mechanisms,” he explained.