Gov’t Tightens Budget Efficiency, Refocuses on More Productive Programs with Direct Impacts

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto delivers a press statement in Seoul, the Republic of Korea, on Tuesday (03/31).

The Indonesian Government is committed to enhancing the state’s financial management through strategic measures, including program prioritization, budget refocusing, and spending efficiency across ministries and agencies.

“The budget is reallocated from less-prioritized spending, such as official travel, meetings, non-operational spending, and ceremonial activities, to a more productive spending with direct impact, such as rehabilitation and reconstruction following the Sumatra disaster,” Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said in his press statement in Seoul, the Republic of Korea, on Tuesday (03/31).

In addition, the Coordinating Minister said that the Government continues to push for accelerated spending realization of ministries and agencies, while also sharpening it through budget optimization. “The potential for prioritization and refocusing of these ministry and agency budgets is in the range of Rp121.2 trillion to Rp130.2 trillion,” he added.

On this occasion, the Coordinating Minister emphasized that the Government is optimizing the implementation of the free nutritious meal program as part of an effort to improve the quality of human resources.

“This program is aimed at providing fresh food five days a week, while still taking into account exceptions, such as dormitories, 3T (frontier, outermost, and underdeveloped) areas, and areas with high stunting rates,” said the Coordinating Minister.

The Coordinating Minister also explained that this efficiency policy is projected to generate potential savings of up to Rp20 trillion. The Government continues to ensure that every policy implemented provides tangible benefits to the public while strengthening the foundations of the national economy amid global dynamics.

“All of these policies are parts of structural transformation toward a more efficient, productive, and resilient economy,” he concluded. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (FI/AW)