NTT Governor: Vice President States No PPPK Workers Will Be Laid Off

Kupang (ANTARA) - East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Governor Melki Laka Lena stated that in his conversation with Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka in Kupang on Monday (6/4), the Vice President committed to ensuring no PPPK workers would be laid off. “We are grateful that the central government is giving serious attention. Yesterday, the Vice President tasked the relevant ministers to respond comprehensively. His commitment is clear: no PPPK will be laid off,” he said in Kupang on Tuesday. He conveyed this in front of several civil servants (ASN) of the NTT Provincial Government at the NTT Governor’s Office. Melki added that relevant ministries such as the Ministry of PANRB, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Ministry of Finance will conduct a thorough evaluation to ensure a fair and appropriate solution for the regions. “They will examine each one carefully and assist the regions in finding the best solution, so that the handling of PPPK can be carried out appropriately and justly,” he added. Based on data, the average personnel expenditure in NTT reaches more than 50 percent of the total regional budget, far exceeding the maximum limit of 30 percent set by the central government. According to the Governor, this situation cannot be resolved with instant measures such as workforce reduction, but rather through more adaptive and comprehensive policies. He also emphasised the importance of accelerating policy certainty from the central government, given that the regions must soon prepare their 2027 budget planning. Governor Melki stated that his side, together with all regional heads in NTT, will continue to coordinate with the central government to find the best way out without sacrificing the welfare of the apparatus. “We are optimistic that there will be more flexible policies that favour the regional conditions,” he said.