Prabowo Urges "Fasting" Officials To Go Abroad For Budget Efficiency

JAKARTA President Prabowo Subianto asked officials, from ministers to regional heads, to refrain from traveling abroad during his reign. This aims to save budgets that can be allocated to priority programs that are beneficial to the community.

"Please, ministers and officials, fasting for five years does not go abroad. For five years we save 1.5 billion US dollars just from traveling," Prabowo said at the opening of the 12th Muhammadiyah Tanwir and Milad Sessions in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, Wednesday, December 4.

Prabowo explained that official travel abroad has so far absorbed up to 3 billion US dollars per year. He proposed reducing the official travel budget by 50 percent, so that it could save IDR 15 trillion. The funds, according to him, can be diverted for infrastructure development, school repairs, dam construction, irrigation, and free nutritious food delivery programs to students.

"Imagine, if we manage to save only 50 percent, it is equivalent to several dams, irrigation, elementary school repairs, or food supply for school children," said Prabowo.

This step is in line with the analysis of the Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani and her team who said that many ceremonial expenses could be reduced without disturbing the running of the government.

Prabowo also appealed to regional heads, such as governors, regents, and mayors, to reduce non-essential expenses, including overseas travel and excessive seminars. He emphasized that budget efficiency is important to accelerate the fulfillment of people's needs.

"I beg you, officials in the regions, such as elected governors and regents, to act efficiently and focus on the needs of the people. Reduce those that are not too important. We all understand what the people's difficulties are," he said.

This policy, said Prabowo, is part of the government's determination to cut ceremonial spending and prioritize the needs directly felt by the community.