South Sumatra Provincial Assembly Allocates 486 Million Rupiah for Billiards Tables; NasDem: Do Not Wound Public Trust

NasDem Commission II representative Ujang Bey has criticised the South Sumatra Provincial Assembly’s (DPRD Sumsel) procurement of two billiards tables for the official residences of two assembly leaders worth 486.9 million rupiah. Ujang contends that such expenditure should instead be prioritised for needs that support regional development.

“Given the current situation and all regions facing budget efficiency challenges, spending should be prioritised on regional budget items that can support local area development,” Ujang told journalists on Tuesday (10 March 2026).

He stated that the public would find it difficult to justify budget expenditure on billiards tables as a means of supporting assembly leadership activities. He urged local government (pemda) to exercise greater care in using budgets.

“I believe the public will find it very difficult to justify billiards table spending with the rationale that it supports activities,” he said.

He cautioned that the regional budget (APBD) should be used for public interest. According to him, inappropriate budget use can wound public sentiment.

“Public attention is now turning towards regional areas, meaning all regional budget policies in their implementation must not wound public sentiment, particularly anything that could provoke public unrest,” he added.

According to Ujang, the procurement does not align with President Prabowo Subianto’s directive on efficiency. The available budget, he said, must be utilised as effectively as possible for public interest.

“President Prabowo’s direction is very clear: budget efficiency must be utilised as effectively as possible,” he stated.

Previously, South Sumatra Provincial Assembly Chairman Andie Dinialdie addressed the procurement of two billiards tables for the official residences of two assembly leaders worth 486.9 million rupiah. He stated the billiards tables remain at the planning stage.

“I have already contacted the Assembly Secretary (Sekwan) to clarify regarding the procurement of these items. However, it should be known that everything is still at the planning stage; there has been no purchase yet,” said Andie, as reported by detikSumbagsel on Sunday (8 March).

According to data from the General Procurement Planning Information System (SIRUP) of the Government Goods/Services Procurement Policy Institute (LKPP) from the South Sumatra Provincial Assembly Secretariat as of 7 March 2026, the planned procurement includes a billiards table for the chairman costing 151 million rupiah and another for deputy chairman III costing 335.9 million rupiah.

Andie, who also chairs the All-Indonesia Billiards Sports Association (POBSI) for South Sumatra, stated that the billiards tables will serve as an alternative training venue for regional billiards athletes.

“So in addition to existing facilities, they can also train at the official residence,” he said.