DWP Members Take Trip Using Rp 50 Million APBD Funds, Expert Questions Public Benefit

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Public Policy expert from the University of Indonesia (UI) Lina Miftahul Jannah raised questions about the benefits to the community from the trip taken by the members of the Dharma Wanita Persatuan (DWP) of Tulungagung, which was referred to as a study reference program from October 19 to 21, 2026.

"First, what is the anticipated output? If they claim it’s a study reference," she said in a phone call to Kompas.com on Monday (26/10/2026).

"What is the outcome? What impact does this activity have?" Lina added.

She also questioned why the study reference needed to be packaged as a trip.

Lina stated that the unclear role of DWP within the government organizational structure would burden the national budget.

In addition to the leisure activity, Lina highlighted that there are routine activities that could impose further financial strain on the government budget.

"Gathering every so often, yes. Where is the funding coming from? They will ask for more budget from the region. That’s not the intended use," she remarked.

Budget should come from personal funds

According to Lina, the DWP budget should be sourced from personal funds of each member, such as contributions collected from their respective husbands.

"Because there is no correlation with, for example, civil service matters, there’s no relationship with that policy itself, right? Especially if it's just about food experiences," she stated.

This emphasis on personal funding is necessary because, according to Lina, government funds should focus on public interests.

"In essence, it shouldn’t be a burden. If they want to use funds, let it be from their husbands' contributions if they want to travel," she added.

Essentially, government funds should not be used for interests unrelated to governance.

For Study Reference

The group of Dharma Wanita Persatuan (DWP) from Tulungagung took a trip to Central Java (Jateng) using a budget of Rp 50 million from the regional budget (APBD).