Soal Efisiensi Anggaran, Menteri PU: Anggaran Dibahas, Pembangunan IKN Tak Terganggu!

Summary

President Prabowo Subianto has issued a directive for significant budget efficiency measures in Indonesia for 2025, aiming to save IDR 6.7 trillion without compromising public services or civil servant productivity. Key savings will come from reducing travel expenses, office supplies, and consulting fees. A portion of the savings will support expanding the free nutritious meal program. Despite budget cuts, the development of the Nusantara Capital (IKN) and civil servant bonuses will continue as planned. The government emphasizes the importance of maintaining service quality while ensuring transparent and effective spending management.

Takeaways

• 😀 President Prabowo Subianto signed Presidential Instruction No. 1 of 2025 to reduce government spending by 6.7 trillion Rupiah in the APBN and APBD.
• 😀 The instruction includes significant cuts in administrative expenses such as travel, office supplies, and government building costs.
• 😀 A key focus of the budget savings is to improve the reach and effectiveness of the free nutritious meal program for citizens.
• 😀 The government aims to ensure these cuts do not negatively impact civil servant salaries or public service delivery.
• 😀 Travel expenses, office supplies, and consulting services will see drastic reductions, with some areas cut by up to 90%.
• 😀 Part of the savings will be used to expand the free nutritious meal program, ensuring it reaches more people and is distributed transparently.
• 😀 The budget cuts also affect regional government transfers, with a focus on productive infrastructure projects in local areas.
• 😀 The government is committed to preventing budget leakages or misuse by ensuring transparency and accountability in the allocation of funds.
• 😀 The Ministry of Finance has clarified that salaries, including the 13th and 14th salary payments, will not be affected by these cuts.
• 😀 The government plans to ensure that the efficiency measures do not disrupt the productivity of public servants or the overall functioning of the government.
• 😀 The efficiency program emphasizes careful monitoring and mitigation of risks to avoid adverse effects on public services or economic growth.

Q & A

What directive did President Prabowo Subianto issue regarding budget efficiency in 2025?

President Prabowo Subianto signed Instruction Number 1 of 2025, calling for a budget efficiency initiative, requesting that the government save up to 306.7 trillion IDR in public spending, especially in areas like travel expenses.

How will the savings from budget efficiency be used?

The savings will be allocated to programs such as expanding the reach of free nutritional meals, ensuring that more citizens can benefit from improved food access.

What will happen to the salaries and allowances for civil servants?

The salaries, including the 13th and 14th salaries (holiday allowances), for civil servants will not be affected by the budget cuts. These payments are considered a right and will be paid out as scheduled.

How is the Indonesian government ensuring the cuts do not affect public service quality?

The government is prioritizing the efficiency of spending without reducing public service quality or disturbing the productivity of civil servants, ensuring the cuts do not negatively impact service delivery.

What steps is the Ministry of Public Works taking regarding the budget for the Nusantara capital project?

The budget for the Nusantara capital (IKN) project has been temporarily blocked and is still in the political and legislative stages. However, key infrastructure, such as legislative and judicial buildings, are planned to be completed around 2028 or 2029.

What types of spending have been reduced as part of the budget cuts?

Several categories of spending have been reduced, including office supplies (cut by 90%), printing and souvenirs (reduced by 75.9%), as well as travel expenses, vehicle and equipment rentals, and services such as consultancy and honorariums.

How are government agencies expected to adjust to the budget cuts?

Each government agency has been given until February 14, 2025, to propose budget revisions in line with the President's directive. These revisions must ensure that the essential services and programs continue without disruption.

What is the risk the government is trying to mitigate with the efficiency program?

The government is trying to mitigate the risk of the efficiency measures leading to unintended consequences, such as a reduction in public service quality or the emergence of new budget leaks.

How will the budget cuts impact local government spending?

Local governments are expected to use their budgets efficiently, focusing on productive activities such as community facility development. They must ensure that the cuts do not hinder public service delivery or civil servant productivity.

What is the role of the Ministry of Finance in this efficiency initiative?

The Ministry of Finance is overseeing the overall budget efficiency, ensuring that the cuts are applied systematically and fairly across government agencies, and ensuring transparency and accountability in how the savings are used.