Yusril Said Budget Efficiency Was Carried Out Because 30 Percent Of The APBN Was Leaking

KOMPAS.com/ADHYASTA DIRGANTARA

Yusril Said Budget Efficiency Was Carried Out Because 30 Percent Of The APBN Was Leaking

Monday, 24 Feb 2025

Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra assessed that the budget efficiency policy in ministries/institutions was implemented because around 30 percent of spending from the APBN was leaking or could not be accounted for.

Yusril's statement was related to the 2025 APBN budget efficiency as a follow-up to President Prabowo Subianto in Presidential Instruction of the Republic of Indonesia Number 1 of 2025 and the Letter of the Minister of Finance Number S-37/MK.02/2025.

"Why were savings made and what was the money saved for. The President firmly stated that around 30 percent of our APBN so far has been leaking. It cannot be accounted for and there is too much spending on things that are actually not really necessary and urgent," said Yusril after attending a meeting of judges with President Prabowo Subianto at the Presidential Palace complex, Jakarta, Thursday.

Yusril explained that President Prabowo decided to make budget savings in various fields with the aim of developing Indonesia in the next five years.

The savings of 30 percent of the APBN or 20 billion US dollars will be invested to finance direct assistance programs, such as Free Nutritious Meals (MBG), to finance 34-35 mega projects that will start this year.

Investment in mega projects is expected to increase Indonesia's economic growth by 8 percent in the next five years.

According to Yusril, the savings that include travel expenses, purchasing office stationery, to seminar activities that will be reduced will indeed be very noticeable in the first 1-2 years of government, but will have a positive impact on the future.

"It is hoped that by 2045 Indonesia will truly be in the position of a developed country. So in its current position, Indonesia has actually risen to its level to become an economic power around number 6 in the world, and I think the impact will be very large," said Yusril.

The President's direction regarding the budget efficiency policy is aimed at ministry/institution programs whose benefits for the community cannot be measured, such as overseas travel, to ceremonial activities.

However, efficiency will not impact activities related to public services and employee spending, including salaries and benefits.