"The President's instructions are clear: public services, public service obligation (PSO), staff expenses, social assistance will not be affected by the efficiency," he told the press at the PCO office in Jakarta on Friday.
He made the statement in the wake of budget-saving measures taken by ministries and agencies following the issuance of Presidential Instruction Number 1 of 2025 and Finance Minister's Letter Number S-37/MK.02/2025, which have called for state budget efficiency this year.
According to Nasbi, for budget efficiency, each ministry and agency will adjust the budget savings to their respective main tasks and functions.
He further said that President Prabowo's directive regarding budget efficiency is aimed at ministries and agencies' programs whose benefits for the community cannot be measured.
He added that the budget efficiency will affect several things, such as ceremonial events and official travel.
The PCO head also assured that the Eid al-Fitr allowance and the 13th salary of civil servants will not be affected by the budget efficiency.
Instruction Number 1 of 2025 requires that the government budget in the state and regional budget for 2025 be reduced by Rp306.69 trillion (around US$18.7 billion).
Ministries and agencies have been asked to slash their budget by Rp256.1 trillion, meanwhile transfers to regions will need to be cut by Rp50.59 trillion.
According to Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, the President has called for budget efficiency so that the budget can be used for programs that would directly impact the community more.
Those programs include the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program, food and energy self-sufficiency programs, and health sector improvement programs.
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Translator: Mentari D, Livia K, Raka Adji
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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