Save Without Obstacles! President Prabowo Accelerates Budget Efficiency, Ensures People’s Money is Right on Target

Jakarta – The government under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto is implementing a budget efficiency policy as a strategic step to optimize the use of state finances. Through Presidential Instruction (Inpres) Number 1 of 2025, this policy targets a budget cut of IDR 306.69 trillion, which will be diverted to one of the priority programs such as Free Nutritious Meals and food self-sufficiency.

Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati emphasized that this budget efficiency is not solely aimed at reducing spending, but to ensure that the use of the State Budget (APBN) is more targeted.

“The use of the APBN must focus on direct benefits for the community and strengthening the economy. Savings are made by reducing ceremonial spending, official travel, maintenance, and activities that do not have a major impact,” he said.

The Deputy for Development Financing and Investment also emphasized that the budget cuts will not disrupt the Asta Cita Program which is a priority of the Prabowo administration.

“Efficiency will be focused on financing national priority activities,” he explained.

Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Bima Arya Sugiarto stated that the success of this policy depends on the support of local governments.

“Budget efficiency aims to improve the quality of APBD spending without reducing benefits for the community,” he said.

The budget transfer to the regions has also been adjusted to be more in favor of underdeveloped and island regions.

Minister of Public Works Dody Hanggodo ensured that budget efficiency would not hinder national infrastructure development.

“The PU Ministry will ensure that all ongoing infrastructure projects can be completed without any stalling,” he said.

He added that budget optimization was carried out effectively and transparently so that the benefits of development could be felt optimally by the community.

Public policy expert from UPN Jakarta, Achmad Nur Hidayat, assessed this policy as an initial step in more optimal state financial management.

“Budget efficiency not only reduces the burden on the state but also encourages economic growth,” he said.

This budget efficiency policy has received support from various parties, including academics and policy observers. Political observer from Jenderal Achmad Yani University (Unjani) Cimahi, Arlan Siddha, stated that budget cuts do not mean eliminating its benefits.

“The budget that is cut does not go anywhere, but is directed more to what can be directly felt by the community,” he said.

In line with that, the Executive Director of Indonesia Political Opinion (IPO), Dedi Kurnia Syah, highlighted that so far a lot of the budget has been absorbed in ceremonial activities and official trips that have less direct impact on the community.

“The portion of working visits is more ceremonial and does seem to waste the budget. So, it would be very good if there were efficiency efforts from these two activities,” he said.

With the budget efficiency policy promoted by President Prabowo, the government is trying to ensure that state financial management is more optimal. Budget cuts are focused on reducing unproductive spending, while funds from efficiency are diverted to spending that has a more direct impact on the community.

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