Nasaruddin Umar Combs Ministry Of Religion's Budget For Efficiency

Minister of Religion Nasaruddin Umar during a working meeting with Commission VIII DPR in Jakarta, Monday (3/2/2025). (ANTARA/HO-Kemenag)

Minister of Religion Nasaruddin Umar will continue to disburse the Ministry of Religion's budget regarding efficiency in accordance with President Prabowo Subianto's Instruction Number 1 of 2025 concerning Ministry/Institutional Expenditure Efficiency.

In the Presidential Instruction and Ministerial Letter dated January 24, 2025 regarding the Efficiency of Ministry/Institutional Expenditures, the Ministry of Religion is required to carry out budget efficiency of Rp. 14,284,062,000,000. However, the results of the sweep are not sufficient for the target set by the Ministry of Finance.

"Based on the criteria and identification, the amount of Rp. 7,279,475,129,000 was obtained. This requires us to make rearrangements in order to meet the efficiency targets with the same criteria, but expand on the identification of the efficiency plan," said the Minister of Religion during a Working Meeting with Commission VIII DPR in Jakarta, Monday, February 3.

The budget is obtained by taking into account the availability of part of the budget for operations that are of basic necessity, the transfer of ceilings to the Hajj Organizing Agency (BP Hajj), and the source of funds only from pure rupiah expenditures.

According to the Minister of Religion, if you look at the demands for efficiency of Rp. 14 trillion in budget adjustments, it will have an impact on several priority programs and activities.

These priority activities include religious services, such as the implementation of the 1446 H/2025 M Hajj pilgrimage, strengthening religious moderation, strengthening the harmony of people with religious-based economic potential, fostering marriages, assistance for houses of worship, and digitizing religious services.

In addition, the field of education, such as providing government assistance in the field of education, includes several activities that have been a priority such as BOS, BOPTN, PPG, and scholarship assistance for students and educators.

In addition, regarding the improvement of educational facilities and infrastructure and completion of madrasah rehabilitation and religious institutions, and the development of teacher competencies and lecturers can also be affected by efficiency.

However, the Minister of Religion revealed that the efficiency initiated by the President was not without reason. The Ministry of Religion as a derivative of the executive will continue to support this program.

"This Presidential Instruction was only last week, but we were only able to save IDR 7 trillion. And we have to press again. We will continue the funds that we can reduce. We can then convey them to Commission VIII of the DPR," said the Minister of Religion.

He also asked for the support of all parties related to the allocation of this budget. The Minister of Religion reminded the Ministry of Religion that it is a vertical agency, whose work units range from the center to the KUA.

This means that there are several budgets that, if eliminated, will have a direct impact on the community.

The Minister of Religion also assured that members of the DPR and the community that this efficiency program would not make the spirit slack.

"The establishment of this nation without the state budget can do a lot, just because it is reduced by Rp. 14 trillion, I think it can still do a lot for the community," said the Minister of Religion.