“Concentrate the Budget on Programs that Bring Benefits for the People,” Says President

President Joko Widodo listens to Cabinet Secretary’s report prior to Plenary Cabinet Meeting, at the Ministry of State Secretariat, Jakarta, on Thursday (7/4)

In a Plenary Cabinet Meeting held at the Main Building of the Ministry of State Secretariat, Jakarta, on Thursday (7/4) morning, President Joko Widodo also mentioned an issue relating with planning and budgeting reforms.

“I would like to tell you, once again, that all ministers/heads of institution are obliged to control their budget. Don’t just hand it over to your subordinates,” the President firmly said.

The President said that the budget should be drafted in a new way. It should be focused on the programs that would be carried out. There is no need to make a lot of programs. “Just concentrate on the programs that bring benefits for the people and create multiplier effect to business world as well as the people,” he said.

To the ministers as well as heads of institution, the President asked them to be efficient in using the budget for operational expenditure, as well as non-priority spending such as goods and capital expenditures. This issue will be discussed in details by the President at the discussion of the 2016 Revised State Budget.

To the Point

On that occasion, President Joko Widodo also instructed the ministers and heads of institution to delete ambiguous budget nomenclatures. It should be to the point.

“I have told you many times, the terms relating with empowerment and development should be deleted. Just focus on our programs,” the President said.

The President also asked them to strengthen cooperation as well as synergy between ministries and institutions. “I believe that sharp priority programs that have significant impacts, integration, and funding sourcesconsolidation will make the programs real and bring benefits for the people,” he said.

The last, the President affirmed that he wants the Government to work, not just make a plan.

“Focus on what has been planned so that it can be executed and brings benefits for the people. They will, later, assess us whether we have worked or not, whether we can work or not,” the President said.

The Plenary Cabinet Meeting was attended by Vice President Jusuf Kalla, Coordinating Ministers, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, and Presidential Chief of Staff Teten Masduki. (DND/FID/JAY/ES)(MMB/YM/Naster)