Jakarta (ANTARA) - Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati ensured that the government's budget efficiencies policy, as requested by President Prabowo Subianto, will not affect the social assistance budget.

"Budget for social assistance is not reduced. There are absolutely no budget cuts there," she remarked on Thursday at the BRI Microfinance Outlook 2025 held in Tangerang, Banten.

The minister noted that the state spending target in the 2025 budget year is set at Rp3,621.3 trillion (around US$222.72 billion).

To optimize the state spending ceiling, the government is adjusting the budget to be more efficient, in accordance with President Prabowo's instructions to ministries and agencies.

The efficiencies are intended to ensure that the state budget directly benefits the public.

On the other hand, adjustments have been made to various other budget categories, such as official travel, stationery, and various ceremonial activities that do not directly impact the public.

Earlier, the finance minister issued a letter ordering ministries and agencies to implement budget efficiencies across 16 spending items.

The letter, numbered S-37/MK.02/2025, was a follow-up to Presidential Instruction Number 1 of 2025.

Indrawati determined 16 spending items whose budgets needed to be cut by varying percentages, ranging from 10 percent to 90 percent.

For instance, the budget for stationery is expected to be cut by 90 percent, while the budget for training should see a reduction of 29 percent.

Ministers and agency heads are required to submit the efficiency plans to the House of Representatives (DPR) and report their approval to the Minister of Finance or the Director General of Budget by February 14, 2025.

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Translator: Imamatul Silfia, Raka Adji
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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