Minister of Finance Purbaya Says Many K/L Return to the Budget, Fiscal Deficit Remains Under Control

JAKARTA - Minister of Finance Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said that many ministries/institutions (K/L) have returned the budget that has not been absorbed until the end of the year.

However, he refused to mention the name of K/L or the total number because the issue was sensitive.

"If I mention his name, he will try to take as much money from my place even though it is not spent," said Minister of Finance Purbaya to reporters at the Ministry of Finance, Jakarta, Wednesday, December 31.

He admitted that he was worried that if the name was mentioned, tomorrow K/L related would "ask again, ask again" just to show that it was able to absorb, even though it was eventually returned.

Even so, Purbaya emphasized that the fiscal deficit condition was still under control. Regarding the total budget that was returned, he asked the public to wait.

"We will announce it next week," he said, while reminding the figure is still moving.

Purbaya ensured that the government would continue to maintain the deficit so as not to violate the 3 percent limit according to law, and continue to communicate with the DPR.

For next year, the Minister of Finance Purbaya said he had received permission to enter ministries/institutions and directly monitor the absorption of the budget.

The supervision includes assessing whether the spending is really in accordance with the program and its maximum impact.

Regarding taxes, the Minister of Finance Purbaya admitted that the realization of revenue was likely to be below the outlook, and the details would be presented next week.