President Jokowi Tells Ministers to Achieve 95% Budget Absorption in 2023

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo leads the Plenary Cabinet Meeting at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, Monday (12/11). (Photo by: PR of Cabinet Secretariat/Agung)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has ordered his Cabinet Ministers to ensure that the 2023 budget absorption is realized at least 95 percent.

“In the next two weeks, I urge all of you to ensure we achieve at least a 95% budget realization. Thus, please monitor the director generals and deputies regularly to ensure we meet our target,” the President said at the Plenary Cabinet Meeting, at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, Monday (12/11).

In light of the upcoming Christmas 2023 and New Year 2024 celebrations, the President directed his ranks to prepare for the anticipated rise in community mobility and logistical demands.

“We must carry out thorough preparations, particularly in transportation and the supply chain for essential goods. This is crucial as the latest survey calculations indicate an expected movement of approximately 107 million people during this Christmas and New Year,” he said.

On that occasion, the Head of State instructed his ministers to ensure the stability and availability of basic commodities.

“I think the prices of rice and chilies 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,” he said.

“I’ve noticed that the prices of rice and chilies are still quite high. This seems to be a supply problem, and there’s a distribution issue as well. In one province, the price for cayenne pepper is Rp50 thousand, but in Java, it’s Rp110-130 thousand. We should look into this more closely,” he added.

As for 2024, the Head of State asked ministries/institutions and regional governments to prepare for budget realization from the beginning of the year.

“As 2024 draws nearer, everyone must gear up for the budget realization starting in January. This applies to both ministries/institutions and regional governments. Please keep reminding them about this,” the President remarked. (DND/UN) (RIF/MUR)