President Prabowo Subianto Underlines Efficient, Savings-Oriented Budgeting

President Prabowo Subianto delivers his remarks during the Plenary Cabinet Meeting (SKP), at the Cabinet Room, Presidential Palace Jakarta, on Wednesday (01/22). (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat)

President Prabowo Subianto has highlighted the importance of efficiency and savings in formulating budget criteria and ordered the cut on non-essential items.

“I’d like to emphasize the criteria for the budget that we will implement. The first one is that it should be able to create jobs, as I have said many times. Second, it must boost productivity. This productivity must be measured by quantifying how much foreign exchange is generated and how much foreign exchange is being saved. The next criterion is that it must lead to food and energy self-sufficiency,” the President said during the Plenary Cabinet Meeting (SKP) at the Cabinet Room, Presidential Palace, Wednesday (01/22).

On food and energy self-sufficiency, the President stated that by 2025, Indonesia will stop the import on rice, corn, and salt, adding that the food self-sufficiency target could be achieved faster than estimated at the end of 2025 or at most early 2026.

“So, maybe three years earlier than our target, meaning that with good intentions, hard work, and orientation to the country and the nation, reasonable policies will yield quick results,” the President said.

The President also underscored the importance of technological breakthroughs in the budget, which includes investments in human resources, education, and science and technology. He also emphasized that the budget for ceremonial purposes, such as anniversary celebrations or official travels, will be cut.

“Historical celebrations, anniversary celebrations are carried out modestly in the office, in our room, if necessary, only 15 people should be present, the rest can use video conference. I cut official travel by half. With this cut, we can save more than Rp20 trillion. If we estimate it, with Rp20 trillion, we can repair tens of thousands of school buildings,” he said.

The Head of State also ordered his administration to increase loyalty in budget drafting, saying that the budget audit has been running with fairly good accuracy.

“I call on the loyalty of all ministers, all heads of agencies to comply in this matter. I’d like to thank the finance team that has carried out a detailed review of the budget. As I understand it, it may be up to the ninth unit,” the President remarked. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/ABD) (FI/EP)