Prabowo summons ministers for budget, efficiency talks

  President Prabowo Subianto on Thursday summoned top economic ministers to the presidential palace in Jakarta to discuss budget conditions and planned efficiency measures across ministries, Coordinating Economic Affairs Minister Airlangga Hartarto said.

The meeting would include a report on government-wide efficiency steps previously discussed at a coordinating meeting, Airlangga told reporters upon arrival at the palace complex.

“One key item is the efficiency program. We already reviewed it earlier, and this will be reported to the president,” he said.

He did not elaborate on specific measures but said the government is also assessing a work-from-anywhere scheme as part of the broader efficiency push.

“That is also being calculated,” he said.

Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said the meeting would also address the state budget, including potential subsidy allocations and overall fiscal conditions.

“We are anticipating subsidy levels and assessing the state budget outlook. Those are key issues, though I don’t yet know the full meeting details,” he said.

Purbaya added the government is preparing spending cuts across ministries, focusing on delaying expenditures deemed to have limited or slow impact on economic growth.

The planned efficiency drive will target outlays that can be postponed, including certain administrative activities considered less effective.

“Examples vary, such as unclear or less productive meetings, or policies with limited or delayed impact on economic growth,” he said.