Jayapura, Jubi – Central Papua legislator Thobias Bagubau emphasized that the public needs to better understand the core duties and functions of regional legislative council members.
Bagubau made the statement noting that many people still do not fully understand the role of legislators and often assume that the Regional People’s Representative Council (DPR) has the same authority as the government or executive branch.
A member of the Papua Bangkit faction in the Central Papua DPR, Bagubau explained that the legislature has three primary functions: legislation, budgeting, and oversight.
However, he said the public often perceives the DPR’s work as merely “talk,” assuming that it cannot directly realize community aspirations.
In his explanation, Bagubau stressed that all legislative work is based on three main duties and functions (tupoksi) mandated under Article 23 paragraph (2) of the 1945 Constitution.
“Many people misunderstand and expect us, as legislators, to directly implement various proposals, such as building churches, repairing schools, or constructing sports fields,” Bagubau said in a written statement to Jubi on Friday (March 27, 2026).
He noted that although one of the DPR’s roles is budgeting, the authority to allocate and spend funds lies with the executive branch, namely provincial and district governments—not the legislature.
“We do not have authority over budget execution. Full authority lies with the provincial and regency governments. Our authority is limited,” he said.
According to Bagubau, when legislators gather public aspirations through working visits and constituency recesses, those inputs are then forwarded to local governments—governors or regents—to be accommodated in regional development programs.
“We in the DPR do not have the authority to directly implement these aspirations. We convey them to the local government and advocate for their follow-up,” he added.
Bagubau expressed hope that the people of Central Papua will better understand the limits of legislative authority and not assume that the DPR can do everything.
“This must be understood. Every public aspiration we receive is conveyed to the local government as the policymaker and budget holder,” he said. (*)
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