Legislator Proposes Government Funds BPJS for All Citizens, Mentions Electric Trail Bikes

Deputy Chairman of Commission IX of the House of Representatives, Charles Honoris, has proposed that the government fund the BPJS contributions for all Indonesian citizens. According to him, Indonesia is capable of funding such health service guarantees.

The statement by Charles was made during a working meeting with Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin and Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf at the parliamentary complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Wednesday (15/4/2026). Charles raised this amid members of Commission IX questioning the condition of 11 million inactive PBI BPJS participants who have yet to be reactivated.

“Isn’t this better? I often say in this forum, just let the government fund everything, Sir. The BPJS Health membership contributions funded by the government—can we afford it? Of course we can, Sir,” said Charles during the meeting.

Charles then detailed the costs required for the government to pay BPJS contributions for the entire population. The PDIP politician noted that there are currently 284.6 million BPJS participants, with 20 per cent in inactive status.

“There are 284.6 million participants, Sir, which is 98.7 per cent of the population. The inactive ones today are 58.32 million, 20 per cent inactive today, Sir. So, those already funded so far are 96.63 million,” he said.

Charles stated that BPJS Health participants funded by companies or the state, as state organisers, can be separated. With that, he said there are 225.94 million people that the government must cover.

“Let’s exclude the PPU, because they are funded by companies and the state as state organisers. So, if 284.6 million participants minus PPU, both state organisers or business entities, then there are 225.94 million people,” he explained.

That number is then multiplied by the monthly contribution of Rp42,000 for 12 months. “That amounts to Rp113 trillion per year, Sir. Can the state afford it? Yes, it can, Sir,” he added.

Charles then alluded to other government programmes that consume even larger budgets. Charles brought up the procurement of electric trail bikes by the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), which has recently come under scrutiny.

“We can fund other programmes that are far larger, of course we can, Sir. We can afford other programmes that are even used to buy trail bikes, Sir. This is for the people’s health, Sir. We can afford it, Sir,” he stated.