TULUNGAGUNG – UIN SATU students protest over the Tulungagung regional budget drew public attention on Thursday (April 23) as student activists demanded greater transparency in local government finances and criticized the region’s job mutation system.
The peaceful demonstration took place in front of the Tulungagung Regional House of Representatives (DPRD). Protesters questioned budget increases in several regional government offices and called for clearer public explanations on how the funds are used.
Muhammad Ahsanur Rizqi, chairman of PC PMII Tulungagung, said every increase in the regional budget should come with clear justification. According to him, the public has the right to know why spending rises in each government agency.
“Every rupiah added to the budget belongs to the public’s concern. People deserve to know the urgency and purpose behind it,” he said.
He also criticized the Regional Civil Service and Human Resources Development Agency (BKPSDM) for what he described as unhealthy job rotation practices. He pointed to officials moving between departments without relevant professional backgrounds.
“In Tulungagung, an official can move from the education office to the agriculture office just by meeting echelon requirements, without considering competence,” Ahsanur Rizqi said. “This must be evaluated to prevent unhealthy job trading that damages bureaucracy.”
The protest also reflected broader concerns about professionalism inside the local administration. Students argued that poor placement decisions could weaken public services and reduce trust in government institutions.
Responding to the criticism, Golkar faction chairman in the DPRD, Asrori, promised stricter oversight from the legislature. He said the council would closely monitor executive decisions, especially after recent issues that affected the integrity of a local government institution.
“We will remind the executive branch and the regent to be careful with budget use and remain transparent,” Asrori said. “We want to protect the system so harmful incidents do not happen again.”
Asrori also addressed rumors about alleged unofficial holiday allowance (THR) funds. He firmly stated that no THR budget allocation existed in the official legislative planning.
He added that if individuals misused funds under that excuse, the responsibility would remain personal and would violate accountability principles.