NTB DPRD questions Rp58 billion increase in unexpected spending amid Sade disaster
Mataram (ANTARA) - The West Nusa Tenggara Regional House of Representatives (DPRD NTB) has questioned the increase in the Unexpected Spending (BTT) allocation from Rp15 billion to Rp58 billion in the 2026 Revised Regional Budget (APBD Perubahan).
DPRD NTB member M. Aminurlah in Mataram on Wednesday asked the Regional Government Budget Team (TAPD) and the governor to explain the basis for the additional allocation and the realisation of the initial allocation’s use.
“The initial budget was recorded at Rp15 billion in the original APBD, then there was an addition of Rp43 billion, bringing the total to Rp58 billion. We in the council need to question the basis for this increase and request official clarification as well as a report on the realisation of the previous funds,” said Aminurlah.
He said BTT can be used for handling emergency situations and the recovery transition period. However, its use must be prioritised for the urgent needs of communities in the NTB region.
According to Aminurlah, these needs include handling the clean water crisis in several areas and assistance for the fire disaster that struck the Sade Traditional Village in Central Lombok Regency.
“It can be used for the recovery of Sade. Because the Sade incident was a disaster that we could not predict,” he said.
In addition to the priority scale, he stressed the importance of transparency in reporting the use of BTT. According to him, every use of the funds must be reported to the DPRD leadership no later than one month after disbursement.
“The council will carry out its oversight function strictly. The use of BTT must be reported transparently so that the public and the legislature can ensure that the funds are truly absorbed for the emergency needs of the NTB community, not used outside the priorities that should be,” said Aminurlah.
Aminurlah, who is familiarly called Haji Maman, said the DPRD NTB plans to discuss the additional BTT allocation with the TAPD to obtain a written explanation and align budget planning documents with conditions on the ground.
“The additional Rp43 billion is considered to need clarity of reasons and transparency of its use,” he said.
The KUA-PPAS document for the 2026 Revised APBD was submitted by NTB Deputy Governor Indah Dhamayanti Putri to the DPRD NTB leadership in a plenary meeting in Mataram on Tuesday (18/8).
Indah said the budget revision policy is focused on three sectors: handling extreme poverty, food security, and developing NTB as a tourism destination.
“Although we are faced with fiscal constraints and various global challenges, the spirit to realise development that provides real benefits for the community must not wane,” she said.