Aceh – Indonesia, Banda Aceh (Waspada Aceh)– Aceh Government Spokesperson Nurlis Effendi has criticized the political maneuvers of the Head of the Aceh PRR Task Force Regional Post, Safrizal ZA. Nurlis assessed Safrizal’s steps as disproportionate and an evasion of his core responsibilities in Aceh.
“He is busy dissecting the absorption of Rp1.65 trillion in Aceh’s Transfer to Regions (TKD) funds across dozens of media outlets. However, he has never outlined the absorption of the Rp24.2 trillion budget ceiling for 2026 across 22 ministries and agencies. Yet, Aceh’s post-disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction is precisely his primary duty,” Nurlis said in Banda Aceh on Saturday (3/10/2026).
Safrizal made his remarks during a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) Gathering in Takengon, Central Aceh, on Friday (2/10/2026), which was subsequently published by several news outlets.
Safrizal claimed that Aceh’s TKD budget absorption stood at only 28 percent of the Rp1.65 trillion total. Responding to the statement, Nurlis emphasized that budget realization figures fluctuate dynamically every day.
“Absorption is an ongoing process. As of October 2, 2026, it had already risen to 32 percent. We consistently report this transparently to the public, as instructed by Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian,” Nurlis explained.
Nurlis went on to question the motive behind Safrizal’s silence regarding the far more massive disaster recovery fund.
“Is Safrizal suffering from amnesia, or is he playing dumb? He should be detailing the Rp24.2 trillion budget ceiling that falls directly under his domain. Where did that money go? That is what he is obligated to disclose to the public,” Nurlis stated.
Nurlis presented data from the National Master Plan established under the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs (Menko PMK) Decree No. 25 of 2026. A total of 92.6 percent, or Rp24.2 trillion, of the rehab-recon budget is directly executed by 22 ministries and agencies (K/L).
As Head of the Regional Task Force and the central government’s representative in Aceh, Safrizal is considered to hold an absolute mandate to oversee the implementation of these funds.
“These projects are carried out by their respective ministries and agencies. The Regional Task Force should strictly monitor them. What is the status of their progress? What is the actual physical and financial realization on the ground? We must ensure that the trillions of rupiah authorized under the Menko PMK decree truly benefit Aceh’s recovery,” Nurlis stressed.
In reality, Nurlis added, no detailed public information has been provided regarding the implementation progress of the projects overseen by the 22 ministries and agencies in Aceh.
“This is precisely what Safrizal should oversee and account for as the central government’s representative in the region, rather than deflecting focus.”
Nurlis urged Safrizal not to exploit public platforms or risk creating a communication breakdown and provoking negative public sentiment.
“He ought to improve his communication. As a central government representative, he must understand his main duties and functions. His responsibility is to coordinate, not to stir up conflict,” Nurlis concluded.(*)