Public Works Ministry Allocates Rp 31.53 Trillion for 'Sekolah Rakyat' Programme

The Ministry of Public Works has proposed a budget requirement of Rp 219.81 trillion for the 2027 fiscal year. Minister of Public Works Dody Hanggodo stated that the budget is needed to ensure the development and delivery of basic infrastructure services continue, supporting community productivity and national economic growth. However, he noted that the indicative ceiling set by the government for the Ministry of Public Works in 2027 currently stands at only Rp 98.47 trillion. Dody emphasised that his ministry’s budget must translate into infrastructure services that can be directly felt by the public. “The Ministry of Public Works’ budget must be realised as services to the community in the form of optimal irrigation, connected roads, safe bridges, affordable drinking water for all citizens, managed sanitation, and public facilities that are fit for use by all people in Indonesia,” Dody said during a working meeting with Commission V of the Indonesian House of Representatives in Jakarta on Thursday, 11 June 2026. According to Dody, productivity cannot be separated from the availability of well-functioning infrastructure. Farmers need reliable irrigation networks, business operators require adequate road connectivity, and communities need access to clean water and proper sanitation. “Investment and industry also do not grow on plans alone. Both require connectivity, raw water, well-organised areas, disaster risk management, and reliable basic services,” he stated. Dody explained that the indicative ceiling of Rp 98.47 trillion will be used for various priority programmes, including the construction and rehabilitation of irrigation networks, road and bridge maintenance, construction of suspension bridges, expansion of drinking water services, improvement of sanitation and waste management, construction of educational facilities, and post-disaster recovery. “We fully understand that state budgeting requires prudence. Therefore, we convey these needs openly, measurably, and based on the function of public infrastructure services,” Dody said. Of the total indicative ceiling, the largest allocation of Rp 31.53 trillion is directed to the Strategic Infrastructure sector. This budget will support several national priority programmes, such as the construction of ‘Sekolah Rakyat’ (People’s Schools), the rehabilitation and renovation of religious schools, and the handling of public infrastructure in post-disaster areas in Sumatra. Furthermore, the water resources sector received an allocation of Rp 25.44 trillion. These funds will be used for the construction and rehabilitation of irrigation networks, the development of flood control infrastructure, the implementation of the Community-Based Infrastructure programme or the Acceleration of Irrigation Water Use Improvement (P3-TGAI), and post-disaster infrastructure management. Meanwhile, the Highways sector received an allocation of Rp 29.24 trillion for road construction and capacity enhancement, bridge construction and replacement, construction of flyovers and underpasses, construction of suspension bridges, and road and bridge preservation. The Human Settlements sector obtained an allocation of Rp 11.07 trillion, which will be utilised for the expansion of the Drinking Water Supply System (SPAM), wastewater and solid waste management, development of national strategic areas, and handling of basic service infrastructure in post-disaster regions. Additionally, Rp 1 trillion was allocated for the Secretariat General, Inspectorate General, Regional Infrastructure Development Agency (BPIW), Human Resources Development Agency (BPSDM), Directorate General of Construction Development, and Directorate General of Infrastructure Financing. This budget is intended to support organisational governance, internal oversight, regional planning, human resource competency enhancement, construction services guidance, infrastructure financing, and the execution of other duties. Dody expressed hope that Commission V of the Indonesian House of Representatives would support fulfilling the Ministry of Public Works’ budget requirements that have not yet been accommodated in the indicative ceiling during the deliberation of the 2027 State Budget Draft (RAPBN). “We earnestly hope for the support of Commission V so that the unmet budget needs can receive attention in the continued discussions of the 2027 Fiscal Year RAPBN,” he said.