Indonesian City Councils Revise Budgets, Debate Election Fund Reserve

The Batam City Council held a plenary session on 3 August 2026 during which Mayor Haji Amsakar Achmad presented proposed changes to the 2026 municipal budget (KUA/PPAS). The revisions raise the overall revenue target by roughly Rp 71 billion to Rp 4.255 trillion, driven mainly by higher local tax receipts and an increase in the regional original revenue (PAD) to Rp 2.706 trillion.

In Blitar, a group of council members boycotted the 2026‑27 KUA‑PPAS plenary over the inclusion of a Rp 10 billion reserve for the 2029 local elections. The boycott left the meeting without a quorum, prompting a postponement. Council Chairman Syahrul Alim cited the lack of a supporting regional regulation, while Deputy Secretary Tri Iman Prasetyon argued that the reserve has been part of the budget since 2022 and is intended to smooth election‑year expenditures.