Indonesia adopts budget efficiency earlier than the US: Prabowo

 President Prabowo Subianto stated that Indonesia had implemented a budget efficiency policy before similar measures were adopted by the United States through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

At the Business Summit event held at the US Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday (February 18), the head of state conveyed that this efficiency measure had saved US$18 billion in three months.

According to him, these savings came from cutting unproductive projects, spending inefficiencies, and canceling various ceremonies and non-urgent foreign business trips.

"Perhaps it is similar to what the DOGE did. But I started it several months earlier," he noted.

One of the sources of waste cut was the budget for ceremonies in ministries, regional governments, and various anniversary celebrations which could be simplified without burdening the state budget, Prabowo continued.

In addition, the government has also reduced foreign official travel, which amounts to billions of US dollars annually. Comparative studies and visits not directly related to urgent development needs have also been cut.

Prabowo emphasized that the funds generated from these efficiency measures were reallocated to priority programs that directly impact the community, including the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program.

He emphasized that without strict efficiency measures, these funds have the potential to evaporate and become part of corrupt practices or ineffective spending.

Therefore, budget reallocation is a strategic option to accelerate poverty alleviation and address problems, including stunting, he continued.

With efficiency funds, the government has successfully provided free meals to more than 60 million beneficiaries, including students, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, and the elderly.

Currently, there are 23,000 MBG kitchens operating in various villages. Each kitchen employs around 50 people, primarily housewives who previously had no income, Prabowo said.

He considered this program to bring a multiplier effect in the agriculture and livestock sectors, where every MBG kitchen needs a supply of eggs, chicken, vegetables, and other food ingredients, thus providing market certainty for local farmers and livestock breeders.

"The funds I managed to save are what I reallocated to priority programs. I was accused of being wasteful and so on. No, this is a reallocation of resources," he pointed out.