Solo City Government Temporarily Halts Electricity Bill Payments for Kasunanan Palace
The Surakarta (Solo) City Government has temporarily suspended electricity bill payments for the Kasunanan Surakarta Hadiningrat Palace effective from January 2026. The decision was made due to limitations in the municipal budget.
Maretha Dinar Cahyono, Head of the Culture and Tourism Office (Disbudpar) of Solo City, confirmed the decision when contacted via mobile telephone on Monday, 2 March 2026.
“Yes, it is correct,” said Maretha.
Maretha explained that the electricity costs for the Kasunanan Palace have been funded through the Solo City Regional Budget (APBD). The Disbudpar has been directly paying five electricity accounts in the name of the palace to the State Electricity Company (PLN). The total bill for the five accounts is estimated at over 19 million rupiah per month.
“Our budget capability is indeed limited,” she stated.
Maretha indicated that the suspension of payment is temporary in nature. The Disbudpar plans to resubmit the budget in March so that payments can resume from April 2026.
“Hopefully, payments can be made starting in April,” she said.
When asked whether this was also a consequence of the leadership dualism within the Kasunanan Surakarta, Maretha did not deny it. She acknowledged that this was also a consideration for the Solo City Government.
As is known, there are currently several parties claiming to be the legitimate ruler of the Kasunanan Surakarta following the death of Paku Buwono (PB) XIII in early November 2025. “Leadership dualism is also a factor, but the primary issue is indeed budget limitations,” said Maretha.
She stated that a letter suspending electricity payment was sent to PLN, with copies sent to three internal parties of the Kasunanan Surakarta: KGPH Panembahan Agung Tedjowulan, and two sons of the late PB XIII, namely KGPH Hangabehi and KGPH Puruboyo, now known as Sri Susuhunan Pakubuwono Fourteen.
Maretha added that her office received word that the January 2026 bill had been paid after the copy of the letter was sent. However, she does not yet know which party made the payment.
“I do not yet know which faction settled it; it may be possible to confirm with PLN,” she said.
When asked for a response from the Solo City Government’s suspension of electricity payments for the Kasunanan Surakarta, Panembahan Agung Tedjowulan, through his spokesperson Kanjeng Pakoenegoro, stated there was no response. “There is none,” wrote Pakoenegoro via WhatsApp message.
As for the faction of Sri Susuhunan Pakubuwono Fourteen, at the time of writing, there had been no response to messages sent via their spokesperson, KPA Singonagoro.