Tuesday, 15 September 2026
DELI SERDANG | INDATANEWS.COM - Controversy over the Deliserdang Regency Government's shifting of approximately Rp9 billion in budget allocations, which was raised during a meeting of the Budget Committee of the Deliserdang Regional House of Representatives (DPRD), has prompted an explanation from the regency administration. The local government emphasized that the budget-shifting process was carried out in accordance with applicable regulations and had been officially reported to the Chairman of the Deliserdang DPRD.
The controversy emerged following allegations that the Deliserdang Regency Government had shifted budget allocations without first informing the DPRD. However, administrative records held by the local government show that the Deliserdang Regency Government officially notified the Chairman of the Deliserdang DPRD on three separate occasions regarding changes to the breakdown of the 2026 Regional Budget (APBD).
The Head of the Deliserdang Regional Financial and Asset Management Agency (BKAD), Baginda Thomas Harahap, S.H., said the local government had followed the procedures stipulated under applicable regulations.
"It is true that the budget shift was carried out in accordance with the applicable regulations," Thomas Harahap said on Saturday evening, September 12, 2026.
Administrative records show that the Deliserdang Regency Government first notified the DPRD of changes to the 2026 APBD breakdown through Letter Number 900.1.3/122-8 dated February 24, 2026.
The letter concerned an amendment to Deliserdang Regent Regulation (Peraturan Bupati Deliserdang) Number 82 of 2025 regarding the breakdown of the APBD for the 2026 fiscal year. The regency government explained that the budget shift was related, among other matters, to the implementation of the Health Ministry's policy on the management of Health Operational Assistance Funds (Dana Bantuan Operasional Kesehatan/BOK) for the 2026 fiscal year.
In carrying out the process, the Deliserdang Regency Government referred to Minister of Home Affairs Regulation (Permendagri) Number 77 of 2020 concerning technical guidelines for regional financial management.
The Deliserdang Regency Government subsequently issued Regent Regulation Number 3 of 2026, amending Regulation Number 82 of 2025. A copy of the regulation was submitted to the Chairman of the Deliserdang DPRD for information.
The Deliserdang Regency Government then notified the DPRD again through Letter Number 900.1.3/2700 concerning the second amendment to Regulation Number 82 of 2025 on the breakdown of the APBD for the 2026 fiscal year.
The second notification was related, among other matters, to central government policies concerning the Revenue-Sharing Fund (Dana Bagi Hasil), the General Allocation Fund (Dana Alokasi Umum), as well as assistance for regions affected by disasters in various areas.
For this budget shift as well, the regency government referred to Permendagri Number 77 of 2020 as the legal basis for adjusting the APBD. Upon completion of the process, the Deliserdang Regency Government issued Regent Regulation Number 16 of 2026 and submitted a copy to the DPRD.
The third notification from the Deliserdang Regency Government to the Chairman of the DPRD was submitted on June 12, 2026, through Letter Number 900.1.3/3485.
The letter notified the DPRD of the third amendment to the breakdown of the APBD for the 2026 fiscal year. As the basis for the amendment, the local government referred to several documents, including North Sumatra Governor's Decree Number 188.44/314/KPTS/2026 concerning the provision of special financial assistance to regency and city governments across North Sumatra Province.
The regency government also took into account a letter from the Regional Secretary of North Sumatra Province concerning the detailed allocation of provincial financial assistance, as well as several central government documents and requests from regional agencies for budget shifts.
The process ultimately resulted in Deliserdang Regent Regulation Number 24 of 2026, concerning the third amendment to Regulation Number 82 of 2025 on the breakdown of the APBD for the 2026 fiscal year.
In light of these three notifications, the Deliserdang Regency Government maintains that the controversy surrounding the budget shift should be examined comprehensively based on the available administrative records.
The documents indicate that the local government not only made changes to the APBD breakdown but also submitted written notifications to the DPRD following each amendment.
The DPRD's oversight function in the management of regional finances remains highly important. At the same time, the local government is obligated to be transparent regarding all matters involving the use of budget allocations and public funds.
However, oversight can be exercised more constructively when all parties use complete documents and data as the basis for their deliberations.
A shift in APBD allocations, by itself, does not automatically indicate an irregularity. Regional governments may adjust their budgets when policy directives change, central government transfers are revised, financial assistance is provided, or other government-related requirements arise.
Any such adjustment, however, must be reflected in the budget documents and comply with applicable laws and regulations.
In connection with the controversy surrounding the approximately Rp9 billion budget shift in Deliserdang, the various letters and regent regulations are crucial to assessing the process comprehensively.
Provided that all procedural steps have a lawful administrative and budgetary basis, official government documents can serve as the primary reference for explaining the budget amendment process while also verifying the various allegations that have been raised.
Ultimately, DPRD oversight remains essential to ensuring transparent and accountable management of regional finances. However, a comprehensive examination of documents and data is an important step before conclusions are drawn regarding the budget-shifting process.
Therefore, the controversy should not be viewed solely from the amount of budget funds shifted, but also by considering the reasons for the adjustment, its legal basis, the administrative procedures followed, and the communication between the Deliserdang Regency Government and the Deliserdang DPRD. (IDNC)
REPORTER: Edi Saputra | EDITOR: Fik Sagala
/home/u7391150/public_html/indatanews.com/theme/function.php on line 28
