RM.id Rakyat Merdeka – The government ensures that efficiency in the 2025 State Budget (APBN) which includes Ministries, Institutions and Regional Transfers (TKD) will not disrupt public services.
Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto emphasized that all government agency services are still running well despite budget cuts.
"Public services are not stopped and continue to run as usual. Budget efficiency is carried out so that the Government can focus more on programs that are truly beneficial to the people," said Airlangga in Jakarta, Monday (10/2/2025).
He also ensured that strategic programs such as Free Nutritious Meals (MBG), food self-sufficiency, energy self-sufficiency and improvements to the education and health sectors, would continue to run without disruption.
President Prabowo Subianto has issued Presidential Instruction (Inpres) Number 1 of 2025 concerning the Efficiency of State Budget and Regional Budget Spending for the 2025 Fiscal Year. In this policy, the Government has set a budget efficiency of Rp306,69 trillion. The details are, the budget cuts for Ministries/Institutions amounting to Rp256,1 trillion and the reduction in TKD amounting to Rp50,59 trillion.
Minister of Finance (Menkeu) Sri Mulyani Indrawati emphasized that even though there were adjustments in budget allocation in several K/L, the total efficiency remained in accordance with the President's direction.
"The nominal value has not changed, although there have been several budget shifts between ministries. This efficiency is to improve bureaucratic performance without reducing the quality of public services," said Sri Mulyani, Friday (14/2/2025).
He also ensured that social spending and programs that directly affect the community will not be reduced.
Sri Mulyani said that the 2025 budget efficiency will be the baseline for bureaucratic reform in the following years. Including in the preparation of the 2026 State Budget.
"This efficiency is not just a cut. However, it is part of an effort to create a new culture in managing the state budget to be more effective and have a broad impact," Sri Mulyani explained.
In addition, he emphasized that budget cuts will not have a negative impact on the national economy. Because, what is done is refocusing budget to sectors that provide multiply effect bigger.
"If this budget reallocation is directed to more productive activities, the positive impact on the economy will be even greater," he added.
The government also ensures that this efficiency will not result in termination of employment (PHK) of honorary workers within the Ministry and Institutions.
"We have studied the impact of this efficiency so that it does not affect honorary workers. Thus, they can still carry out their duties to maintain the quality of public services," explained Sri Mulyani.
Executive Director of the Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (Indef) Esther Sri Astuti revealed that most of the funds from efficiency were allocated for the MBG program.
"Initially, the MBG budget was only IDR 71 trillion, now it has been increased to IDR 100 trillion. This program can indeed increase public consumption, but it also risks causing budget leaks. The government must really monitor its effectiveness," Esther suggested.
He also assessed that, compared to the Indonesian Capital City (IKN) project, the MBG program has a greater impact on household consumption, even though it is short-term.
Public policy observer from The PRAKARSA Ah Maftuchan added that the budget efficiency carried out by the Government brought positive benefits in managing state finances.
"The government seems to be starting to realize that budget waste must be reduced. This is important so that bureaucracy at all levels has a culture of efficiency in budget use," he said.
However, Maftuchan reminded that this efficiency policy needs to anticipate the impact on MSMEs. Especially those that depend on government spending, such as procurement of Office Stationery (ATK), printing and making souvenirs.
"Budget efficiency can cause stagnation in affected sectors. The government needs to ensure that MSMEs are not too badly hit by this policy," he said.
With the efficiency of the 2025 State Budget, the Government is trying to allocate the budget more strategically without reducing the quality of public services.
Despite the challenges, this policy is expected to create more effective state financial management and have a broad impact on society.
Reporter: NOVALLIANDY
Editor: FAZRY
***
Read more here: rm.id