Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Abdul Mu'ti, has assured that the budget efficiency policy initiated by President Prabowo Subianto will not interfere with strategic programs in the field of education.
Speaking in Jakarta on Wednesday, he said that strategic programs such as school operational assistance (BOS), Smart Indonesia Program (PIP), and teachers' certification assistance will be carried out according to plan.
He added that all these programs would be continued and benefit eligible beneficiaries in 2025.
The minister said that within his ministry, budget reduction has been pursued in official travel, ceremonial events, and procurement of goods related to printing, among other things.
"In principle, we agree with the decision, and we are trying our best so that the reduction in the ministry's budget does not reduce the services we provide to the community," he added.
However, he said that due to the budget efficiency policy, his ministry has had to make changes to several programs it had planned.
President Prabowo has issued Presidential Instruction Number 1 of 2025 instructing that the government budget in the state budget and regional budget for 2025 be reduced by Rp306.69 trillion (around US$18.7 billion).
Ministries and agencies have been asked to slash Rp256.1 trillion, meanwhile transfers to regions have been 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: Sean Filo, Raka Adji
Editor: Azis Kurmala
