Sherly Tjoanda Requests Central Government to Reconsider Budget Cuts

North Maluku Governor Sherly Tjoanda has requested that the central government reconsider its budget-cutting policy. According to her, the policy significantly affects infrastructure development plans and hampers the acceleration of regional development.

“We are facing a cut of approximately 60 percent from the total Revenue-Sharing Funds (DBH). In total, across 10 regencies/cities and one province, the cuts amount to Rp 3.5 trillion. This pressures the Regional Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBD) structure, especially in regencies and cities,” Sherly stated while opening the North Maluku Golkar Party Regional Deliberation in Ternate.

Sherly noted that North Maluku is currently one of the provinces with the highest economic growth in Indonesia, reaching 34 percent. However, this growth is not yet accompanied by equitable welfare distribution.

“If we go down to the regions, there are still many residents who do not have decent housing, lack bathrooms, struggle with education costs, and farmers and fishermen have low incomes. Our region is often called rich, but the people are not truly prosperous,” she said.

She hopes that by 2027, the central government can reconsider the regional budget-cutting policy. Sherly emphasised that while the General Allocation Fund (DAU) is under central government authority, revenue-sharing funds (DBH) should not be cut.

“When the public asks what the benefits are of the natural resources being exploited, while roads and bridges are not yet connected, we must have an answer,” she stated.

Meanwhile, Ternate City Secretary Rizal Marsaoly said the budget cuts are forcing local governments to adjust development programmes due to fiscal limitations.

According to him, non-essential expenditures such as official travel and meetings must be reduced. Local governments are also sharpening priorities by redirecting budgets to vital sectors, such as education and health.

“Honestly, it’s tough. Local governments on average have to make adjustments. Nevertheless, we continue to prioritise community needs,” Rizal said.