MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM - North Sumatra Governor Muhammad Bobby Afif Nasution is considering adjusting the motor vehicle tax (Pajak Kendaraan Bermotor/PKB) in several regions as part of a strategy to promote a more equitable distribution of regional revenue. The proposal comes amid the implementation of the vehicle tax opsen scheme, under which a portion of vehicle tax revenue is allocated directly to regencies and cities based on their respective vehicle potential.
Bobby Nasution made the proposal on Monday, August 31, 2026, during the opening of a coordination meeting on optimizing locally generated revenue (PAD) and the distribution of revenue-sharing funds from provincial taxes (DBH) to regencies and cities across North Sumatra. The meeting was held at the Raja Inal Siregar Hall.
According to Bobby, the implementation of the opsen scheme, or an additional percentage share of tax revenue allocated to regencies and cities, is an important step toward strengthening regional fiscal capacity. At the same time, however, the policy creates differences in revenue potential because the number of motor vehicles is not evenly distributed across all regencies and cities.
Regions with a high number of motor vehicles have the potential to generate greater vehicle tax revenue than areas with fewer vehicles. Bobby cited Medan and Deli Serdang as two areas in North Sumatra with particularly significant vehicle potential.
"Of course, Medan and Deli Serdang have the largest numbers. Under the opsen scheme, this revenue now goes directly to the respective regencies and cities. Previously, it was distributed to other regions, but now the distribution is based on the number of vehicles in each area. So the question is whether we can lower the vehicle tax in certain regions. That way, for example, not everyone would have to buy their car in Medan," Governor Bobby Nasution said.
Opsen Scheme Aims to Promote Fairer Revenue Distribution
Bobby said the government needs to formulate an appropriate policy so that the implementation of the opsen scheme does not benefit only regions with high vehicle density. One option under consideration is adjusting vehicle tax rates in certain areas, giving residents greater alternatives when purchasing or registering vehicles.
In his view, such a policy could provide regencies and cities with relatively lower vehicle tax potential with new opportunities to increase their locally generated revenue. At the same time, the government could encourage a broader distribution of economic activity related to vehicle ownership and registration, rather than allowing such activities to remain concentrated in certain areas.
The proposal to adjust vehicle tax rates remains part of the government's efforts to determine the most effective model for increasing regional revenue. Before any policy is implemented, the North Sumatra Provincial Government must consider various factors, including its impact on residents, the revenue potential of individual regions, and coordination with regency and city governments.
In addition to vehicle tax, the coordination meeting also served to evaluate the development of locally generated revenue in North Sumatra. Bobby expressed his appreciation for the support provided by the
Ministry of Home Affairs, particularly its Directorate General of Regional Financial Development, which continues to assist regional governments through guidance and support in improving public services and optimizing revenue.
According to the North Sumatra Regional Revenue Agency (Bapenda Sumut), revenue collected through August 2026 had reached 55.41 percent of the target of Rp6.96 trillion. The figure represents approximately Rp3.86 trillion from all revenue sources.
MOTOR VEHICLE TAX ADJUSTMENT: North Sumatra Governor
Bobby Nasution proposes adjusting motor vehicle tax rates in certain regions to promote a more equitable distribution of regional revenue during the Coordination Meeting on Optimizing Locally Generated Revenue (PAD) and the Distribution of Provincial Tax Revenue-Sharing Funds (DBH) at the Raja Inal Siregar Hall on Monday, August 31, 2026. (PHOTO: Fahmi Aulia)
PAD Revenue Reaches Rp3.86 Trillion
Bobby described revenue performance through August as relatively positive. However, he called on regional governments and all relevant stakeholders to accelerate their optimization efforts so that the revenue target for the end of 2026 can be achieved.
"Up to August, the result is actually quite good. However, considering the trend this month, we clearly need to increase our efforts so that we can reach 100 percent by the end of the year. Therefore, we also expect cooperation from the regencies and cities in optimizing regional revenue. This includes identifying additional revenue sources, such as the establishment of a Regional Public Service Agency (BLUD) in the sports sector, which is planned for November," Bobby Nasution said.
In addition to revenue from regional taxes, the
North Sumatra Provincial Government continues to explore other sources of income that can help strengthen locally generated revenue. One of the measures being prepared is the establishment of a Regional Public Service Agency (BLUD) in the sports sector, scheduled for November 2026.
The move demonstrates that the regional government is not relying on a single sector to increase its locally generated revenue. The North Sumatra Provincial Government is also working to develop economically viable revenue sources that can provide sustainable financing to support regional development.
Optimizing locally generated revenue is becoming increasingly important because a region's ability to finance development programs and public services also depends on the fiscal capacity of its government. Therefore, coordination between the provincial government and regency and city governments is essential to identify and effectively manage existing revenue potential.
OPTIMIZING MOTOR VEHICLE TAX REVENUE: Director General of Regional Financial Development at the Ministry of Home Affairs Agus Fatoni calls for collaboration between the North Sumatra Provincial Government and regency and city governments to optimize motor vehicle tax revenue. (PHOTO: Fahmi Aulia)
Home Ministry Calls for Stronger Regional Cooperation
Agus Fatoni, Director General of Regional Financial Development at the
Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri), also praised the coordination meeting initiated by
Bobby Nasution. He described the increase in locally generated revenue in North Sumatra as a positive development, while noting that regional governments still have considerable opportunities to develop additional revenue sources.
Agus identified several areas that regional governments could further optimize, including transfers from the central government, regional-owned enterprises (BUMD), Regional Public Service Agencies (BLUD), the utilization of regional assets (BMD), corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs, the National Amil Zakat Agency (Baznas), as well as budget allocations from ministries and government institutions.
"That is why cooperation between the provincial government and the regency and city governments in increasing vehicle tax revenue is very important. Actual revenue performance must also continue to be improved. That is why we are here as supervisors of the Samsat system. We cannot handle this task alone; optimizing this revenue requires the support of all stakeholders," he said.
Agus emphasized the importance of cooperation in optimizing vehicle tax revenue because its administration involves both the provincial government and regency and city governments. Such collaboration is also necessary to ensure that existing revenue potential is accurately identified and that each region can increase its contribution to locally generated revenue.
On the occasion, Agus Fatoni also presented Governor
Bobby Nasution with a certificate of appreciation from the
Ministry of Home Affairs. The award recognized the
North Sumatra Provincial Government's efforts to increase its locally generated revenue.
The coordination meeting was also attended by Jasa Raharja President Commissioner Aan Suhanan, Jasa Raharja President Director M Awaluddin, North Sumatra Baznas Chairman M Hatta, Acting North Sumatra Provincial Secretary Timur Tumanggor, regents and mayors from across North Sumatra, as well as heads of regional agencies and organizational units (OPD) within the North Sumatra Provincial Government.
Through the coordination, the
North Sumatra Provincial Government and regency and city governments are expected to strengthen their strategies for increasing locally generated revenue. In addition to optimizing vehicle tax through stronger cooperation among regions, governments must also develop other revenue sources so that revenue growth can be distributed more evenly and support development financing across North Sumatra.
(IDNC)REPORTER: Ahmad Zulfikar | EDITOR: Fik Sagala