Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono expressed appreciation for the realization of the 2011 budget while calling for increased capital expenditures and public spending in 2012.

On the first cabinet meeting in 2012 on Tuesday President Yudhoyono said "I am glad and grateful that realization of the 2011 budget has been better than it was at the evaluation in November. But I think two important components namely capital expenditures and public spending have to be increased this year."

Based on the 2011 budget realization national revenues were recorded reaching 102.5 percent (Rp1,999.5 trillion) while national spending 97.6 percent (Rp1,289.6 trillion) of the target.

President Yudhoyono also expressed relief the deficit could be made lower at 1.27 percent or Rp90.1 trillion than the budget assumption at 2.09 percent or Rp150.8 trillion.

"Thank God it is below 1.5 percent," he said.

With regard to the realization of the 2012 budget President Yudhoyono called on all government employees to work hard so that it could be better than in 2011.

On the New Year eve President Yudhoyono called for better coordination among central and regional, executive, legislative and judicative branches.

He also called on government ranks to stand in front to lead the efforts to make better achievements in 2012.

The first cabinet meeting was attended by vice president Boediono and all cabinet ministers and presidential advisory council members. (*)

Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
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