President Jokowi: 2023 State Budget to Focus on Job Creation, Poverty Alleviation

President Jokowi delivers his remarks at the Cabinet Plenary Meeting at the State Palace in Jakarta, Monday (01/16) (Photo by: PR of Cabinet Secretariat/Rahmat)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Monday (01/16) appealed to all ministers and heads of agencies to optimize the 2023 State Budget on productive programs, especially related to job creation and poverty alleviation.

“The 2023 State Budget must be focused to resolve national priority [issues] including reducing stunting rate, eradicating extreme poverty, achieving food security, as well as [organizing] agendas ahead of general elections,” the President said at the Plenary Cabinet Meeting on the Evaluation of the 2022 State Budget and the Planning of Programs and the 2023 State Budget.

In addition to the Transfer to Region and Village Fund (TKDD), President Jokowi also called for budget optimization of TKDD to boost economic growth in the regions.

On that occasion, the Head of State encouraged his related administration to ensure that the priority of the Regional Budget is in line with the State Budget.

“It means that [the Regional Budget] can be in sync with national priorities as I said earlier many times, especially related to people’s economy, export, as well as investment,” President Jokowi added.

Furthermore, the President also ordered related administration, both at the central and regional levels, to curb the inflation so that the figure will remain under five percent.

“After inspecting markets, I am sure that noticing price stability and seizing the opportunity [to maintain inflation] is easy if we  work together like what we have done to curb COVID-19 pandemic in our country,” he remarked. (FID/UN) (AP/RAS/MUR)