JAKARTA – The Minister of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions (Mendes PDT), Yandri Susanto, accompanied by Deputy Minister Ahmad Riza Patria, attended a working meeting (Rapat Kerja) with Commission V of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia (DPR RI) at the DPR RI Building in Senayan, Jakarta, on Tuesday (September 1, 2026).

The working meeting focused on evaluating and adjusting the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 budget allocations, as well as finalizing the Ministry/Agency Work Plan and Budget (RKA K/L) for FY 2027. The session provided a strategic platform for both the executive and legislative branches to review achievements and identify critical needs to reinforce future rural development.

During the hearing, Minister Yandri presented key ongoing initiatives, including the Kick-Off of the 2026 Gen Z Village Ambassador Festival (Festival Duta Desa Gen Z), established to foster youth participation, creativity, and leadership in rural development. He also highlighted the "Kabar dari Desa" (News from the Village) broadcast collaboration with TV One and the overseas rural workforce program to Japan. These initiatives reflect the Ministry’s commitment to inclusive, broad-impact rural development.

"This is our strategy for engaging young people in building villages. Ultimately, we are striving to empower villages through media coverage and dedicated programs," Minister Yandri emphasized during the meeting.

Furthermore, Minister Yandri announced a budget top-up of IDR 51.767 billion for the Integrated Village Economic Transformation Program (TEKAD) for FY 2026, which secured a No Objection Letter (NOL) from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) on July 20, 2026. This additional funding is required to fulfill program outreach and output targets, address recommendations from the IFAD Supervision Mission, and ensure the successful completion of Program TEKAD. The proposed increase was finalized during Trilateral Meetings with the Ministry of National Development Planning (PPN/Bappenas) and the Ministry of Finance on August 28 and 31, 2026, bringing the total 2026 TEKAD ceiling to IDR 248.029 billion from an initial IDR 196.261 billion.

Addressing the FY 2027 budgetary Outlook, Kemendes PDT faces a funding gap between its indicative ceiling and the resources required to execute priority programs. Against an indicative ceiling of IDR 1.785 trillion, total program requirements stand at IDR 5.514 trillion, resulting in a deficit of IDR 3.728 trillion.

To bridge this gap, Kemendes PDT has formally submitted an additional budget request for FY 2027 to cover priority initiatives in rural community empowerment and the accelerated development of disadvantaged regions—a proposal warmly received by the Chairman of Commission V DPR RI, Lasarus.

"We hope that Kemendes PDT's 2027 APBN budget will be increased. We fully support all working partners of Commission V, including Kemendes PDT. We must recognize current development challenges, particularly as Village Budgets (APBDes) face reductions in discretionary village funds. Through this honorable forum, we hope the government hears our collective aspiration," Lasarus remarked.

To address the funding gap, Minister Yandri noted that discussions have been initiated with key officials, including the Leadership of the DPR RI, the Budget Committee (Banggar), and the Minister of State Secretary. However, the proposed adjustment remains under review pending a final determination by the Minister of Finance.

Photo: Mugi/Kemendes PDT 
Text: Ria/Kemendes PDT