Finance Minister Assures State Budget Stability Despite Efficiency Measures

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesian Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said the government will manage the budget sustainably, even as efficiency measures are implemented.

“Nevertheless, we still have room to provide a buffer against global economic volatility,” Minister Purbaya stated in a press release on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.

He added that even if oil prices average around USD 100 per barrel through the end of the year, the state budget will remain able to absorb the impact.

“We will keep the deficit under control by managing the budget sustainably. The public need not worry that the deficit will spiral out of control or that the budget will fall into disarray,” Minister Purbaya said.

He emphasized that the government has calculated everything through the end of the year, and the efficiency measures taken will support the State Budget.

Regarding efficiency, the government is also optimizing the free nutritious meal program (MBG), which provides fresh food five days a week.

“This program still considers exceptions, such as dormitories, underdeveloped, frontier, and outermost (3T) regions, as well as areas with high stunting rates. The potential savings from this program reach IDR 20 trillion,” Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto said in the same press release.

Minister Airlangga added that these policies are part of a structural transformation toward a more efficient, productive, and resilient economy. “The government encourages all individuals and businesses to remain productive, participate actively, and support efficiency,” he said. (Misni Parjiati/Lasti Martina)