Indonesia Tapanuli Tengah Impeachment Dispute Put on Hold
Indonesia’s interior minister mediated a deal between Tapanuli Tengah’s regency council and its elected leader, Masinton Pasaribu, shifting attention to disaster recovery and budget spending.
MEDAN, Indonesia — A proposed impeachment of Tapanuli Tengah Regent Masinton Pasaribu has been put on hold after Indonesia’s interior minister brokered a deal between the regency council and local government, redirecting attention to disaster relief and delayed public spending.
Deputy council speaker Joneri Sihite said the two sides had reached a “win-win solution” after Interior Minister Tito Karnavian urged them to meet and address natural disasters. Karnavian sent a team from the Ministry of Home Affairs to mediate in the North Sumatran regency, Joneri said on Friday, Sept. 11.
The dispute began when five council factions — Gerindra, NasDem, Golkar, the National Awakening Party (PKB) and the National Mandate Party (PAN) — raised the prospect of removing Masinton. They criticized what they described as unprofessional budget management, saying only 30% of the 2026 budget had been spent by August, and faulted the local government’s response to post-disaster assistance.
Joneri, who also leads the Golkar party’s Tapanuli Tengah branch, said the council was concerned that about 60% of officials in local government agencies remained in acting positions. He said acting appointments should last no more than three months, while Masinton already held the regent’s post permanently.
Disaster response at the center of talks
North Sumatra Governor Muhammad Bobby Afif Nasution had urged the council and regency government to prioritize recovery before pursuing their internal dispute. Tapanuli Tengah was among areas where disaster aid was being distributed more slowly than elsewhere, he said in Medan on Wednesday, Sept. 9.
“Especially since it is a disaster-affected area. We know Tapanuli Tengah is one of the areas where aid distribution is still a little slower than in other regions,” Bobby said.
Ganjar Pranowo, chairman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), Masinton’s party, called for a clear legal basis before any removal process advances. He said the council should summon Masinton for an explanation and establish whether he had committed a violation covered by Article 78(2) of Indonesia’s 2014 Regional Government Law.
“There must be clarity on the violation under this provision,” Ganjar said on Thursday, Sept. 10. He also said the home affairs minister’s mediation could ease tensions before a lengthy impeachment process began.
Budget negotiations continue
Joneri said a removal effort would require several stages, beginning with the council’s right to question the executive, followed by an inquiry and investigation before any impeachment decision. The process could take months.
The compromise shifts the immediate focus to faster budget execution and disaster recovery. The council and regency government have agreed on nine of 10 points in a draft 2027 regional budget, including 10 billion rupiah (about $613,000) for agricultural equipment, 10 billion rupiah (about $613,000) for fishers and 20 billion rupiah (about $1.23 million) in scholarships for disaster victims. The plan also includes 3 billion rupiah (about $184,000) for pedicabs and funding to rehabilitate unfit homes.
The only unresolved item is a proposal to continue construction of the Tapanuli Tengah government offices. Council members’ allowances have been approved for disbursement.
