At the US Chamber of Commerce, President Prabowo Claims Savings of US $18 Billion, Ceremonial and Business Travel Cut

WASHINGTON DC - The President of the Republic of Indonesia (RI), Prabowo Subianto, claims to have saved the state budget of around 18 billion US dollars in the first three months of his administration, by cutting inefficiencies and projects he calls unproductive.

The claim was made at the US Chamber of Commerce Business Summit, Washington DC, Wednesday, February 18, when he explained the agenda for governance for "certainty" for investors and immediate benefits for the people.

"I managed to save 18 billion US dollars in cash," said Prabowo.

He said one of the sources was ceremonial spending, which he said was repeated in many institutions.

"I just canceled it all, the birthday was celebrated in the office," he said.

He also said that the cost of overseas official travel had been cut because he thought it was often irrelevant to the "very clear" problems in the country.

Prabowo associated efficiency with programs that target poverty, hunger, and stunting.

"A hungry stomach cannot wait," he said.

He said 25 percent of Indonesian children were stunted and explained the Free Meal Program as a relocation of the budget: "No, this is a relocation of resources."

He claimed the program created a multiplier effect in the village.

"We now have 23,000 kitchens; each kitchen employs 50 people," said Prabowo, saying that demand for food in the village has increased and boosted the economy from the bottom up.

Prabowo also compared his efficiency steps with efforts in the United States.

"Maybe it's similar, through DOGE. But I have to say that I started it first," he said.