Purbaya: Rp44 Billion for NTT Disaster Already Transferred Since Early August

Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has clarified that the Rp44 billion in assistance for emergency disaster management in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) is not a new budget allocation. The funds are part of the emergency response budget that the central government transferred to regional governments in early August 2026.

“There was a misunderstanding as if I had added Rp44 billion. That Rp44 billion is the amount we sent in early August as central government assistance to the regions on the President’s orders,” Purbaya said after attending a working meeting with the Budget Committee of the Indonesian House of Representatives in Jakarta on Thursday (20/8).

Previously, during a visit to earthquake-affected areas in NTT, the Finance Minister stated that the government had disbursed Rp44 billion for disaster management in the affected regions. He also said the government remained open to increasing the budget based on evaluations of developments on the ground and the adequacy of funds for field requirements.

The statement subsequently led to the assumption that the central government had disbursed Rp44 billion specifically for earthquake disaster management in NTT. “So what the regent there said about only having a few hundred million rupiah — he most likely forgot to account for the recent transfer. So it was not a new transfer for the disaster,” Purbaya said.

The state treasurer said the budget requirements for subsequent disaster management had been calculated by the Minister of Home Affairs and submitted to the central government.

“For the disaster budget, the Minister of Home Affairs has calculated and submitted it to us. We are awaiting approval from the State Secretariat and the President. But the amount is still manageable, so it does not threaten the budget,” he added.

The Ministry of Finance, through the Directorate General of Fiscal Balance, continues to monitor the financial condition of regional governments affected by the disaster. The monitoring is carried out to ensure that regional governments have adequate funding support to assist affected communities.

Currently, the government remains focused on emergency response management. However, the central government has begun calculating budget requirements for the repair and recovery phase in affected areas.

The calculation of budget requirements is based on developments and needs on the ground, while adhering to applicable budgeting mechanisms and approvals. The Finance Minister emphasised that government support will be adjusted according to the severity and needs arising from the disaster.