PDIP Responds to Impeachment Discourse Regarding Tapteng Regent Masinton

The Central Executive Board (DPP) of the PDIP has voiced its position regarding the discourse surrounding the impeachment of their cadre, Tapanuli Tengah Regent Masinton Pasaribu, following allegations of unprofessional and non-transparent regional budget management.

PDIP DPP Chairman, Andreas Hugo Pareira, remains unconcerned by the matter. He views the developing discourse in Tapanuli Tengah as standard political dynamics.

Andreas believes that the issue will be resolved by Masinton and the PDIP faction members in the Tapanuli Tengah Regional House of Representatives (DPRD).

“This is normal dynamics in the region, which will be resolved by Regent Masinton and his colleagues in the Tapteng DPRD,” said Andreas when contacted on Thursday (10/9).

Andreas declined to comment when asked about several factions that have not yet withdrawn their stance regarding the discourse, or the reasons why he believes the impeachment will not materialise.

There are five party factions in the Tapteng DPRD pushing for Masinton’s impeachment, namely NasDem, Golkar, Gerindra, PAN, and PKB. They argue that the administration of Tapanuli Tengah Regency is not functioning optimally and that budget management is unprofessional.

The spokesperson for the five factions, Hazmi Arif Simatupang, stated that they have found allegations of poor budget management.

In addition to budget issues, the five parties are also highlighting the handling of floods that occurred in Tapteng. They assess that the local government’s response has been slow and the distribution of aid to victims has not been maximised.

“We are also discussing and considering taking a political stance through the Tapanuli Tengah Regency DPRD, potentially leading to the impeachment of Regent Masinton Pasaribu,” he said on Saturday (5/9).

Recently, Gerindra has withdrawn its stance, stating that it is no longer involved in the joint statement regarding the impeachment of Regent Masinton.

“We sat together to respond to the developments currently occurring in Tapanuli Tengah Regency, specifically regarding the leadership of Tapanuli Tengah Regent Masinton Pasaribu, whom we considered negligent and weak in running the administration,” said the Chairman of the Tapteng Gerindra Branch, Hazmi Arif Simatupang, in a video, as quoted by Detik.