Puan Questions Overseas Training for 25 Regional Heads Amid Budget Efficiency Drive

House Speaker Puan Maharani has responded to the National Resilience Institute’s (Lemhannas) decision to send 25 regional heads to Singapore for a capacity-building programme. Puan stressed that the House of Representatives will summon and request an in-depth explanation regarding the urgency of the overseas training programme. She said parliament will question the programme because it is being held amid a state budget efficiency policy. “For Lemhannas, we will later ask for a detailed explanation in a time of efficiency like this and a global situation like this, whether it is indeed necessary to send regional heads for capacity building abroad,” Puan said at the Parliament Complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Tuesday (21/7). Puan explained that the summons and request for technical explanation would be assigned to the relevant commission in the House, which is Lemhannas’s working partner. This control and oversight measure is taken to ensure that the use of the state budget remains based on the principles of efficiency, accountability, and prioritising domestic needs. “So later, perhaps the relevant commission will ask for an explanation regarding this matter,” stressed the PDI-Perjuangan politician. Previously, the Governor of the National Resilience Institute (Lemhannas), Ace Hasan Syadzily, said that 25 regional heads undergoing education at Lemhannas were scheduled to visit Singapore to study public services. “They will go to the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore to be given some knowledge, especially about public services, for example education services, health services, and waste management,” said Ace. Ace explained that the activity is part of the Regional Leadership Consolidation Course (KPPD) Batch III, held from 15 to 28 July 2026. According to Ace, the visit is necessary so that regional heads can learn good governance to improve the quality of services to the community. In addition to studying waste management, the regional heads will also study digital-based service systems to facilitate public services. The KPPD Batch III is attended by 25 regional heads consisting of 23 regents and two mayors from several provinces.