Jakarta (Bimas Hindu) - The Directorate General of Hindu Community Guidance of the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia hosted an audience from the Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) of Buleleng Regency concerning the Draft Regional Regulation (Raperda) of Buleleng Regency on the facilitation of Widyalaya and Pasraman educational institutions. The meeting took place in the Ditjen Bimas Hindu Meeting Room, 14th Floor, Jalan M.H. Thamrin No. 6, Jakarta, on Monday.
The audience was led by the Chair of Commission IV of the Buleleng Regency Regional House of Representatives (DPRD), Nyoman Sukarmen, who represented the head and members of Commission I and IV. The audience was also attended by representatives of the executive board of the Buleleng Regency Government, the Expert Team of the Buleleng Regency, and staff of the Regency Regional House of Representatives Secretariat.
Nyoman Sukarmen stated that the drafting of the Regional Regulation was an initiative of the Buleleng Regency House Representatives, reflecting its commitment to providing a legal framework for the development of Widyalaya and Pasraman educational institutions. The regulation was prepared to address the need for local legislation that is aligned with national policies on Hindu religious education.
The Director of Hindu Education on Directorate General of Hindu Community Guidance of the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Prof. I Ketut Sudarsana, explained that the draft regulation is enacted as a Regional Regulation (Perda), the Raperda could serve as a strategic reference for the development of Widyalaya and Pasraman, particularly following the issuance of The Regulation of The Minister of Religious Affairs (PMA) Number 51 of the year 2025. He further noted that in 2026, the Directorate General of Hindu Community Guidance of the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia will prioritize programs focused on establishing the new Widyalaya, including the development of boarding Widyalaya. The draft is considered to have the potential to become the first regional regulation specifically designed to facilitate Widyalaya and Pasraman.
The Head of the Sub-directorate of Elementary Education, Raditya Dewa Agung Arsana, added that the draft could be replicated in other regencies and even expanded to the provincial level under the Bali Provincial Government in order to achieve a higher regulatory hierarchy. With the enactment of this regulation, the Buleleng Regency Government is expected to play a more active role in facilitating Widyalaya toward institutional independence.
Meanwhile, the Expert Team of the Buleleng Regency Regional Representatives explained that the regulation was drafted in response to The Regulation of The Minister of Religious Affairs Number 2 of the year 2024, while remaining aligned with the Buleleng Regency Medium-Term Regional Development Plan (RPJMD). Moreover, the planned use of the Regional Budgeting Information System (SIMPEDA) application aims to clarify the division of funding authority between the Ministry of Religious Affairs and local governments, thereby preventing budget overlaps.
Senior Planning Officer I Nengah Sukadana stated that the Raperda had been prepared comprehensively, including provisions related to budgeting mechanisms. He noted that in the event of limitations or blockages in funding from the State Budget (APBN), financial support could be anticipated through local government budgets. Synergy between the central and regional governments is expected to be mutually reinforcing, particularly in the provision of facilities and infrastructure.
Junior Policy Analyst Made Sudhana highlighted the importance of regulating the nomenclature of collaborative programs for Weekly Pasraman, as well as strengthening the involvement of local governments in facilitating Widyalaya teaching personnel.
During the discussion session, the Buleleng Regency Regional Representatives sought clarification regarding the mechanism for proposing the establishment of a new Widyalaya when land is provided by the local government. In response, Prof. I Ketut Sudarsana explained that land grants to the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia constitute the administrative basis for Ditjen Bimas Hindu to submit proposals for the establishment of Widyalaya.
From a legal perspective, Ni Nyoman Muliartini emphasized the importance of drafting cooperation agreements as an initial step to avoid overlapping authorities and to ensure clarity in the duties and responsibilities of each party.
The Chair of Commission IV of the Buleleng Regency Regional Representatives reaffirmed full support for the development and establishment of new Widyalaya, particularly in coordinating land provision. The Draft is expected to serve as a legal framework that facilitates the development of Widyalaya without exceeding the authority of the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia.
Prof. I Ketut Sudarsana also expressed his appreciation for the initiative of the Buleleng Regency Regional Representatives. He emphasized that Hindu religious education is expected to demonstrate distinctive strengths and characteristics. Through The Regulation of The Minister of Religious Affairs Number 56 of the year 2014, as amended by Regulation Number 10 of 2020, the state has reaffirmed its role in the administration of Hindu religious education. The Raperda is therefore regarded as a tangible and progressive form of support for the development of Widyalaya and Pasraman.
