House Commission X Urges NTB and NTT to Coordinate PON 2028 Arena Budget with Central Government

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Commission X of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) has asked the provincial governments of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) and East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) to coordinate the use of their budgets for revitalising arenas for the 2028 National Sports Week (PON) with the central government. Lalu Hadrian Irfani, Deputy Chairman of Commission X, stated on Tuesday at the DPR building in Jakarta that each regional government has prepared a budget of approximately Rp250 billion for revitalising the competition venues to be used during PON 2028. “From this Rp500 billion budget, we are asking the governors of NTB and NTT to coordinate with the central government, including the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and other relevant ministries,” he said. According to him, the quadrennial sporting event must be carried out efficiently, in accordance with the directive of President Prabowo Subianto. “In line with the President’s directive, there will be no construction of new arenas. What will be done is the revitalisation or rehabilitation of existing arenas,” he said. He noted that sports which lack adequate facilities in NTB and NTT will be contested in Jakarta. He also stressed the importance of inter-regional synergy in organising the PON, as the event serves as a momentum for developing high-achieving athletes who are expected to bring honour to Indonesia on the international stage. Furthermore, Lalu reminded the regional governments, particularly those in NTB and NTT, to leverage the PON momentum to stimulate the local economy. “MSMEs can grow, the real sector can move, and the economy in both provinces can improve because athletes, officials, and supporters from all over Indonesia will come,” he said. During a press conference following the meeting, Minister of Youth and Sports Dito Ariotedjo stated that the government has decided not to build new arenas for PON 2028 as part of budget efficiency measures. Therefore, the host regional governments are expected to maximise the improvement and revitalisation of existing facilities to meet competition standards.