THE POLITICS OF REGIONAL BUDGETING IN NORTH MALUKU, INDONESIA
Strengthening budget competition and politicization by the DPRD and the North Maluku Provincial Government in formulating and using the APBD has hurt the planning cycle and budget use. This study aims to reveal the causes and impacts and offer solutions to overcome the problem of budget politicization. This study uses qualitative descriptive analysis using informants, data, and online media. As a result, the low quality of planning and realization of using the North Maluku APBD due to limited internal supervision and budget accountability has resulted in a deficit and debt cycle reaching almost 1000 billion Rupiah from 2020 to 2023. The governor and his cronies, bureaucratic officials and business people, have an interest in the accumulation of project profits, even though his work had to end after the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) named him a suspect in an alleged bribery and licensing case at the end of December 2023. The DPRD is interested in financing its political activities to fulfill the aspirations of its constituents through a POKIR budget worth 500 billion rupiah. The results of this study can provide new insights and solutions by enforcing regulatory standards and strict internal budget monitoring by strengthening a transparent and accountable budget reporting system. The results of this study are also helpful for various other provinces in ending nepotistic corrupt practices in government and strengthening a strict legal supervision system through law enforcement agencies, the public, and the media.
Budget Politics, APBD, DPRD, Provincial Government, North Maluku.