Our unspent funds reached Rp254.2 trillion, which means the government cash is in a very safe position.Jakarta (ANTARA) - Unspent funds, reaching Rp254.19 trillion by April 2021, were indicative of government cash in the state budget being in a safe condition, Vice Finance Minister Suahasil Nazara stated.
The unspent funds were higher as compared to the corresponding period last year, at Rp150.7 trillion, and still higher on a quarterly basis in comparison with Rp178.8 trillion recorded in March 2021.
“Our unspent funds reached Rp254.2 trillion which means the government’s cash is in a very safe position,” Nazara remarked during an online press conference here on Tuesday.
The vice minister highlighted the government’s prudence in ensuring that all state spending allotted for economic recovery is available for Indonesian citizens.
The unspent funds were generated from the realization of state budget that recorded a deficit of Rp138.1 trillion, or 0.83 percent to Indonesia’s gross domestic product, by the end of April 2021. It was led by state spending, reaching Rp723 trillion, while the state revenue only gained Rp585 trillion.
However, Nazara pointed out that the realization of state revenue, which rose 6.5 percent year-on-year, was much better as compared to the same period last year.
Meanwhile, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati noted that the high amount of unspent funds by April was required as a buffer to fulfill spending requirements as well as to anticipate financial market developments.
“The unspent funds are high in amount, but this is for buffer and to meet the needs of state spending. It also becomes the financial strategy to anticipate the inflation rising in the US that potentially leads to the uncertainty of our financing,” she stated. Related news: Budget realization for economic recovery reaches Rp192 trillion
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Translator: Juwita Trisna Rahayu, Astrid
Editor: Suharto
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