Governor Iqbal Optimistic About Eradicating Poverty in Bumi Gora

West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Governor Lalu Muhamad Iqbal is optimistic about eradicating poverty in Bumi Gora. Iqbal stated that in one year of his leadership alongside NTB Deputy Governor Indah Dhamayanti Putri, they have successfully cleared regional debt amounting to Rp 280 billion, sourced from surplus funds and balancing development funds.

“We have successfully managed the finances at our disposal. We can enter 2026 without a single rupiah of debt. If there is any debt, it is with PT SMI, which is indeed planned debt,” Iqbal said during the plenary session at the NTB Provincial Legislative Council (DPRD), on Tuesday (31/3/2026).

Iqbal believes that poverty in NTB can be reduced by the end of his term in 2029. Currently, the poverty rate in NTB stands at 11%.

After clearing the debt that burdened the early days of the Iqbal-Dinda administration, the regional budget can now be more focused on three main agendas: poverty alleviation programmes, food security, and strengthening the tourism sector.

One flagship programme serving as an economic driver for NTB is Desa Berdaya. This programme aims to improve the welfare of NTB residents starting from the village level in extremely poor areas.

Iqbal revealed that NTB’s poverty rate was recorded at 11.38% as of September 2025. This figure is down from 11.78% in March 2025. He stated that this achievement even exceeds the national target, which is around 11.68-12.18%.

Although it experienced a negative growth in the first quarter of 2025, NTB recorded growth of 3.22% in the mining sector and 8.33% excluding the mining sector. The tourism sector also grew by more than 7%, while the agriculture sector nearly met its target with an achievement of 5.33%.

“The farmers’ exchange rate in NTB has also seen a significant increase, becoming one of the highest nationally,” Iqbal said.

NTB’s economic contribution to the national level reached 0.84%, while the processing industry increased significantly to 6.69%. NTB’s Human Development Index (HDI) also rose to 73.97 points, in the high category. Meanwhile, the open unemployment rate is at 3.05%, lower than the national average.

One-Year Achievements of the Iqbal-Dinda Leadership

Previously, Iqbal presented the performance achievements during his first year of leadership. Iqbal revealed that the realisation of regional revenue in the 2025 fiscal year reached Rp 6,476 trillion or 99.79% of the target of Rp 6,498 trillion. Although nearly meeting the target, this figure declined by 2.19% compared to the 2024 realisation of Rp 6,621 trillion.

“Regional revenue in the 2025 fiscal year was realised at Rp 6,476 trillion or 99.79% of the target of Rp 6,498 trillion and declined by 2.19% from the 2024 realisation of Rp 6,621 trillion,” Iqbal said.

In terms of components, locally generated revenue (PAD) was realised at Rp 2,759 trillion or 98.21% of the target of Rp 2,809 trillion. This realisation also declined by 5.19% compared to the previous year, which reached Rp 2,910 trillion.

Meanwhile, transfer fund revenue was realised at Rp 3,537 trillion or exceeding the target of Rp 3,498 trillion. Other legitimate regional revenue was recorded at Rp 179.71 billion or 99.79% of the target of Rp 182.05 billion. However, it experienced a significant decline of 53.19% compared to the 2024 realisation of Rp 383.92 billion.

On the expenditure side, the NTB Provincial Government allocated a budget of Rp 6,497 trillion in 2025, with a realisation of Rp 6,051 trillion or 93.14%. This expenditure consisted of operational expenditure of Rp 4,569 trillion or 92.37% of the target of Rp 5,055 trillion.

Capital expenditure was realised at Rp 536.12 billion or 91.19% of the target of Rp 587.93 billion. Meanwhile, transfer expenditure was fully realised at Rp 841.75 billion or 100% of the set target. In addition, there was unforeseen expenditure realised at Rp 4.008 billion.

According to Iqbal, the decline in regional revenue is a concern for the regional government. He urged support from the NTB DPRD to accelerate the ratification of revisions to regional regulations (Perda) related to taxes and levies as one strategic step to increase revenue.

“Regarding this revenue, on this occasion, we request support from all leaders and all council members to accelerate the revision of the perda on levies, because this is very important for us in order to increase revenue,” Iqbal said.