Indonesia's Presidential Staff Office Seeks Budget Independence

Indonesia's Presidential Staff Office (KSP) is seeking to disentangle its budget from the Ministry of State Secretariat (Kemensetneg), arguing the move is crucial for enhancing its operational independence and effectiveness. KSP Chief of Staff Dudung Abdurachman formally submitted the request during a working meeting with Commission XIII of the House of Representatives.

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We fear the independent element is not guaranteed because it is aligned with one ministry.

Abdurachman explained that the current arrangement, where KSP's budget is subsumed under Kemensetneg, particularly for travel expenses, compromises the KSP's independent standing. "We fear the independent element is not guaranteed because it is aligned with one ministry," he stated during the June 3, 2026 meeting. He also highlighted the KSP's budget limitations, which he deems insufficient for its tasks, especially fieldwork and investigations.

Abdurachman recounted an instance where he personally funded an investigative trip to a fishing village in Palembang, South Sumatra, due to sudden schedule changes and insufficient funds. "At that time, my secretary informed me there was an additional cost for the ticket because the schedule changed, and it had to be paid with personal money because the budget was not enough," he said, emphasizing that KSP staff nonetheless maintain professionalism.

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At that time, my secretary informed me there was an additional cost for the ticket because the schedule changed, and it had to be paid with personal money because the budget was not enough.

With an annual budget outside of salaries reportedly around 3 billion Rupiah (approximately $190,000 USD), Abdurachman questioned the KSP's capacity to resolve inter-ministerial issues. "Imagine, the KSP budget outside of salaries is only around 3 billion Rupiah per year. How can we resolve issues between ministries in such a condition?" he asked.

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Imagine, the KSP budget outside of salaries is only around 3 billion Rupiah per year. How can we resolve issues between ministries in such a condition?

Commission XIII of the House of Representatives has signaled support for the KSP's budget separation proposal. Lawmakers believe adequate financial backing is essential for the KSP to fulfill its strategic mandate as a key instrument for the President in ensuring national priority programs are implemented effectively. Yanuar Arif Wibowo, a commission member, stressed that the budget should be "proportional and program-based."

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Budget must be structured proportionally and based on programs.