South Sumatra Regional Parliament's Billiard Table Budget Draws Scrutiny

The South Sumatra Regional Parliament (DPRD) has budgeted the procurement of two billiard tables for two DPRD leaders’ official residences (rumah dinas). The billiard table procurement plan has drawn considerable scrutiny.

According to detikSumbagsel on Saturday, 7 March 2026, Hadiyanto, the head of the DPRD Sumsel public relations department, confirmed data obtained from SIRUP (Government Procurement General Planning Information System) run by the Government’s Goods and Services Procurement Policy Institution (LKPP) from the DPRD Sumsel secretariat.

Based on the data, the budgeted allocation for the billiard tables was earmarked for DPRD Sumsel Chairman Andie Dinialdie at 151 million rupiah, and Deputy Chairman III Ilyas Panji Alam at 335.9 million rupiah. The total reached 486.9 million rupiah.

Hadiyanto stated that the procurement of the two billiard tables represented a necessary support requirement for the people’s representatives. This comes at a time when budget efficiency measures are being implemented due to government cuts to regional transfer funds (TKD).

“The equipment is necessary to support the activities of the council members,” he said.

DPRD Chairman Speaks Out

DPRD Sumsel Chairman Andie Dinialdie stated that the billiard table remains in the planning stage. Andie, who is also chairman of the All-Indonesia Billiard Sports Association (POBSI) Sumsel, said the billiard table would eventually be used as an alternative training venue for South Sumatra’s billiard athletes.

“I have already contacted the Secretary of the Council to clarify regarding the procurement of the equipment. However, for your information, all of this is still in the planning stage; no purchase has been made,” Andie said, according to detikSumbagsel on Sunday, 8 March.

“So in addition to the existing location, athletes can also train at the official residence,” he added.

Nevertheless, this Golkar Party legislator acknowledged his understanding of public concern regarding the use of regional budgets. Therefore, every procurement plan would be re-evaluated taking into account the principles of efficiency and priority needs.

“If deemed non-urgent or not providing significant benefit, then the procurement can be reviewed again or even cancelled. Thank you,” he said.

Strong Criticism from National Parliament Member

NasDem faction spokesperson on Commission II of the DPR, Ujang Bey, responded to the procurement of two billiard tables for the official residences of two South Sumatra DPRD leaders valued at 486.9 million rupiah. Ujang assessed that such spending should instead be prioritised for needs supporting regional development.

“In a situation like this, with all regions facing budget efficiency, regional spending should be prioritised for expenditures that can support local development,” Ujang told journalists on Tuesday, 10 March 2026.

According to him, the public would find it difficult to rationalise the budget expenditure for billiard table procurement on the grounds of supporting DPRD leadership activities. He urged regional government to exercise greater caution in budget use.

“I think the public finds it very difficult to rationalise the spending on billiard tables with support for activities,” he said.

He warned that the regional budget be used for the public interest. According to him, inappropriate budget use can hurt public sentiment.

“Public attention is now beginning to turn towards the regions, meaning all regional budget policies in their implementation must not hurt public feelings, especially anything that could trigger public unrest,” he added.

He assessed that the procurement does not align with President Prabowo Subianto’s directive on efficiency. Available budgets need to be utilised as effectively as possible for public interest.

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

Deputy Interior Minister’s Response

Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Bima Arya responded to the budget for two billiard tables for the official residences of two South Sumatra DPRD leaders. Bima stated that budget allocation should remain based on the principle of utility.

“Budget allocation should be based on the principles of urgency and utility,” said Bima Arya when contacted on Tuesday, 10 March 2026.

Bima assessed that the budget should have been used for more beneficial purposes. He hopes the budget will be reallocated for other needs.

“It would be better to reallocate it for matters that provide greater benefit for public services or performance,” he said.