Pramono Asks PMI Not to Set Donation Amounts: It Must Be Voluntary

Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung has asked the Jakarta branch of the Indonesian Red Cross (Palang Merah Indonesia, PMI) to stop specifying donation amounts within the Bulan Dana PMI fundraising programme. Pramono stressed that contributions must be given voluntarily and without coercion.

The instruction followed a conversation between Pramono and the head of PMI Jakarta about reports of set donation figures circulating in neighbourhood units (RT) and schools.

“I have just, this morning, called the Chair of PMI Jakarta and the bureaucracy in Jakarta again to say that this is not allowed. So this must be entirely voluntary,” Pramono said in the Sudirman area of Central Jakarta on Thursday (8 October 2026).

Pramono said no fixed amount should be determined in collecting donations for Bulan Dana PMI. He asked PMI Jakarta to swiftly draw up a rule making this explicit.

“There must be no compulsion down to specific figures. Especially within the bureaucracy, where this has also been set, and I have asked the Chair of PMI Jakarta to issue a rule on this immediately,” he said.

He noted that Bulan Dana PMI is, in essence, a voluntary fundraising activity. In his view, the public must be free to decide whether to give.

“So Bulan Dana PMI is wholly voluntary. Neither officials nor PMI itself may set the amount of any levy,” he explained.

Pramono pointed to reports of donation figures circulating among the public. He asked that such practices stop, particularly where they create the impression that giving to PMI is an obligation.

“Yes, you may, or you may not, entirely voluntary,” he said firmly.

He added that donations to PMI should come from public awareness of supporting the humanitarian work the organisation carries out.

“Because this kind of thing has apparently been done in the past, as is happening now, and especially since figures have been reported among the media, I have asked that this not be permitted,” he said.

Pramono also stressed that the rule applies across various settings, including schools and the bureaucracy of the Jakarta provincial government.

“Especially in schools, and especially within the bureaucracy,” he added.

Earlier, Pramono said he had personally produced a campaign video for Bulan Dana PMI. He emphasised, however, that the campaign must not be interpreted as an obligation for the public to donate fixed sums.

“Personally, I have actually already made a video for the campaign on Bulan Dana PMI,” Pramono said.

He hopes PMI’s fundraising will continue to emphasise the spirit of volunteering and not turn into a levy.

“So it is entirely up to people to do this from their hearts, because PMI is indeed the main spirit of PMI itself,” he concluded.