Purbaya Grilled by DPR Over Fund Placement in Himbara Banks, Here's His Response
Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa received criticism from the Deputy Chair of Commission XI of the DPR RI from the PDIP faction, Dolfie Othniel Frederic Palit, regarding the placement of the budget surplus balance (SAL) in Himbara banks.
During a working meeting with Commission XI of the DPR RI, Dolfie questioned the amount of SAL currently held in Himbara banks.
“How much SAL has been placed in 2025 and 2026, Sir?” Dolfie said during the Commission XI working meeting with the Finance Minister on Wednesday (15/7/2026).
Purbaya replied that the amount had reached around Rp400 trillion.
“About Rp200 trillion for 2025, and the latest data shows Rp200 trillion. Then, when there was turbulence, I said another Rp200 trillion — at the time we were about to return it, the government had a lot of SAL at Bank Indonesia, nearly Rp600 trillion, which I thought was too much. So I placed Rp400 trillion into the system,” Purbaya explained.
Purbaya further explained that the placement of state funds was carried out with varying maturities: Rp200 trillion until the end of 2026, Rp100 trillion for three months, and Rp100 trillion in funds that could move in and out to ensure sufficient liquidity in the system.
A heated exchange then ensued between the two. Dolfie argued that the action required approval from the DPR RI, which the government had not yet sought, while Purbaya believed it was unnecessary because the money was only being moved from Bank Indonesia to state-owned banks.
“In your view, does it require DPR approval or not?” Dolfie asked again.
“No, Sir, because it is purely cash management. The money is not being used at all,” Purbaya responded.
“We shall see in the 2026 State Budget Law. SAL placements anywhere require DPR approval. Just look at the law. For 2025, indeed it was not required, but for 2026 it must be with DPR approval in the State Budget Law,” Dolfie said.
Purbaya claimed the decision to place funds in state-owned banks was not made single-handedly. He also said he had consulted and received the green light from one of the DPR RI leaders, whose name was not disclosed.
Hearing this, Dolfie explained that approval from the DPR RI must be conveyed in an official meeting, not person by person.
“DPR approval happens in meetings, Sir, not person by person. You went to Mr Haris, you went to Zidan, you went to Hekal, and they agreed. No, Sir, there must be meeting minutes,” Dolfie insisted.
Purbaya eventually accepted the explanation and said he would study the matter further.
“Alright, Sir, we will study it again. Thank you, Sir. Look, Sir, this was only done with good intentions to protect us all. Once again, thank you, Sir,” Purbaya concluded.