Introductory Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia During Plenary Cabinet Meeting on Preparations for Christmas 2023 and New Year 2024, Current Economic Situations, and the 2023 Evaluation of Programs and Activities, at the State Palace, DKI Jakarta Province, December 11, 2023

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
Good afternoon,
May prosperity be upon us all,
Om swastiastu,
Namo Buddhaya,
Greetings of Virtue.

Distinguished Coordinating Ministers, Ministers, Commander of the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI), Chief of the Indonesian National Police (Polri), Attorney General, Head of the State Intelligence Agency, Governor of Bank Indonesia.

Ladies and Gentlemen.

First, I urge all of you to ensure budget realization this year. With just two weeks remaining, please monitor the director generals and deputies regularly to ensure we meet our target of at least 95%. I encourage you to communicate with the director general on a daily basis and engage with the deputies to prevent any deviations from the set target in the realization of the 2023 budget.

Second, while it is an annual event, planning and preparation are still essential for Christmas and New Year. Coordinating Minister, it is crucial to ensure proper arrangements, particularly regarding transportation, supply chains, and the distribution of essential goods. According to the latest survey calculations, approximately 107 million people are expected to be on the move during this Christmas and New Year period.

Third, in preparation for 2024, I urge everyone to get ready for the realization of the 2024 budget in January. This applies to both ministries/institutions and regional governments. Please make the necessary preparations.

Fourth, regarding the stability of basic commodity prices. I think the prices of rice and chillies are still high. This is a supply problem, there is a distribution problem, because in one province the price for cayenne pepper is Rp50 thousand, but in Java it is Rp110-130 thousand. Please look at it in more detail.

Fifth, I will request a report from Ministry of Finance regarding the growth estimates for the fourth quarter and outlooks for 2023. That concludes my remarks.

Thank you.
Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

(RIF/MUR)