NOBARTV NEWS – After being inaugurated as Minister of Human Rights by President Prabowo Subianto, Natalius Pigai immediately became the public spotlight. This is because Pigai requested an additional budget that was no joke, namely IDR 20 trillion from the initial budget allocation of IDR 64 billion. This request sparked debate in various circles and became a trend on social media. What is Pigai's big plan with the budget, and what impact will it have on Indonesia?
Rp20 Trillion Budget Controversy
When Pigai made this request, the public response immediately exploded. The hashtag “20 T” even became a trending topic on X, a social media platform formerly known as Twitter. Based on data from Suara.com, more than 137 thousand netizens discussed this issue until Tuesday (22/10/2024). Not a few were surprised by the large figure requested by Pigai, while others questioned the urgency of the budget amidst many other sectors that also needed large funds.
Why did Natalius Pigai, who had just been appointed as Minister of Human Rights, immediately ask for such a large budget? Is it true that the budget is needed to realize President Prabowo's vision of increasing awareness of human rights (HAM) throughout the country?
Pigai emphasized that his request was based on the reality on the ground. He said that with the current budget of Rp64 billion, it is impossible to run the major programs mandated by President Prabowo. Pigai claimed that with his background as a human rights worker, he knows very well what is needed to build a strong system.
"If the state has the ability, I ask for more than Rp20 trillion. Don't underestimate me. I am a field worker in human rights. I can do it if the state has the budget," Pigai emphasized in his statement quoted by Antara on Monday (21/10/2024).
Reasons Behind the Establishment of the Ministry of Human Rights
President Prabowo's decision to establish his own Ministry of Human Rights was not a simple one. Before the formation of this ministry, human rights issues in Indonesia were handled by various state institutions and commissions, including Komnas HAM. However, Pigai emphasized that the establishment of this ministry shows that there is a big agenda in Prabowo's government regarding human rights.
"Why does the President want to create a Ministry of Human Rights? It means there is something big that he wants to create," Pigai said. He also revealed that Prabowo's Transition Team has reviewed the budget allocation to ensure that the ministry can function optimally.
Prabowo's move in establishing the Ministry of Human Rights is indeed quite bold. However, a big question arises: will the additional budget of Rp20 trillion, human rights in Indonesia be better protected, or will it become a new burden for the APBN?
Big Plan: Human Rights Education in 80 Thousand Villages
One of Pigai's main plans if the Rp20 trillion budget is approved is massive human rights education throughout Indonesia. Pigai has the ambition to provide human rights education down to the village level. In his presentation, he revealed that there are around 80 thousand villages targeted by this program. Each village will get access to information and training related to human rights.
But why is Pigai focusing on villages? According to him, villages are the foundation of Indonesian society, and by raising human rights awareness at the village level, he hopes to create a society that is more aware and concerned about their human rights.
"I want to build 10 human rights study centers, build three human rights departments in universities, and increase human rights awareness throughout Indonesia, in 80 thousand villages," Pigai said. However, he emphasized that without adequate budget, all these plans would not be possible.
Development of the Human Rights Study Center and Department
In addition to targeting villages, Pigai also plans to establish 10 human rights study centers in various regions in Indonesia. These study centers will function as places for research, training, and dissemination of information related to human rights. In addition, Pigai also plans to open three new departments in universities that specifically teach about human rights.
This step is considered ambitious, but Pigai is confident that with these new study centers and departments, Indonesia can become more advanced in terms of understanding and protecting human rights. With these study centers, it is hoped that the public can gain deeper knowledge about their rights and how to fight for them.
Public Support and Criticism
It is undeniable that Pigai's budget request has drawn mixed reactions from the public. Several parties support this move as a form of the government's commitment to human rights. They see that human rights education at the village level and the development of study centers can be a solution to the problem of human rights violations that still often occur in Indonesia.
However, criticism also came from various circles. Many questioned whether such a large budget was really needed to run these programs. In addition, there were also those who doubted the effectiveness of human rights education programs, especially in remote areas.
Critics say that before asking for additional funding, the Human Rights Ministry needs to show a more detailed and concrete plan. How will the program be ensured to be effective? Is there a clear oversight mechanism? And how will the government measure the impact of the programs?
The Role of Human Rights in Prabowo's Government Vision
Amidst the controversy, one thing is clear: Human rights are a priority for President Prabowo’s administration. By establishing a Ministry of Human Rights and paying close attention to human rights education, the government has demonstrated its commitment to addressing the ongoing human rights violations.
However, this step is not without challenges. The government needs to ensure that the proposed budget is used wisely and transparently. In addition, it is also important for the government to continue to listen to the aspirations of the people and ensure that every policy taken is truly beneficial to the people.
Natalius Pigai, with all his experience and ambition, is trying to bring about major changes in human rights protection in Indonesia. Although his request for a budget of Rp20 trillion is still met with pros and cons, the programs he proposed, such as human rights education in 80 thousand villages and the construction of study centers, could be the first step towards a more just and civilized Indonesia.
In the end, what matters most is how this plan is executed. Will this large budget really bring benefits to the community? Or will it become a new burden for the country? Only time will tell. What is certain is that awareness of the importance of human rights in Indonesia must continue to be increased, both through formal and informal education.
