Government Prevents Budget Waste Through Efficiency, Focuses on Priority Programs

Jakarta – Head of the Presidential Communication Office (PCO) Hasan Nasbi emphasized that the Government is taking budget efficiency steps to increase productivity and drive the economic sector. This policy aims to ensure that state funds are used optimally for the welfare of the community.

According to him, the cost of government official travel has so far reached IDR 44 trillion per year. If efficiency is carried out by 50 percent, around IDR 20 trillion can be diverted to more productive needs, such as building schools in various regions of Indonesia.

“This policy is not just about savings, but rather the diversion of funds to sectors that are more beneficial to the wider community. If efficiency reaches 50 percent, then IDR 20 trillion can be allocated to build 10 thousand schools,” said Hasan.

In addition to the education sector, savings from official travel can also bring great benefits to the agricultural sector. The funds set aside can be used to buy up to 3 million tons of farmers’ rice at a minimum price of IDR 6,500 per kilogram. Thus, farmers will get better price certainty and the agricultural sector can develop further.

“This step can support the agricultural sector or even increase the fertilizer subsidy quota. With this saving, the amount of subsidized fertilizer can reach 9.5 million tons. So, this budget is diverted to productive activities, not just saved and then deposited,” he explained.

Hasan also highlighted the pattern of ineffective budget use, especially towards the end of the year. According to him, in the last three months before the budget year ends, many agencies rush to spend the budget without careful planning. This often leads to waste and less useful spending.

“Towards the end of the year, there is often a tendency to spend the budget. We are familiar with the wasteful practices that occur in October, November, and December,” he said.

He likened this budget efficiency to an effort to eliminate fat without reducing muscle, which means cutting waste without disrupting performance. Hasan also appreciated BPOM as one of the institutions that has succeeded in adapting to the budget efficiency policy.

“BPOM may be one of the first institutions committed to continuing to work optimally, despite budget efficiencies. For example, testing laboratories continue to operate with electricity and machines on when needed, but turned off when not in use,” he concluded.