JAKARTA - Former Vice President 10 and 12 Jusuf Kalla highlighted the need to consider the aspect of proportionality in the budget efficiency policy and the discourse on cutting ministers' salaries.
This view was conveyed by JK after attending the Eid al-Fitr prayer at the Grand Mosque of Al Azhar, Saturday.
He assessed that the current minister's salary was relatively not high compared to officials in other institutions.
"The salary of the minister is only around Rp. 19 million. If it is cut again, how much will you receive?" said JK in his statement.
The 12th Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare compared the amount of ministers' salaries with the salaries of officials at State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) and DPR members whose values are higher.
"The salary in BUMN is much higher than that of ministers. The DPR is also much higher. This is just for information," he said.
JK added, that the minister does not receive allowances as often perceived by the public. There is only operational costs to support the implementation of the task.
"There is no allowance. There is only operational costs, that's all," he said.
The issue of cutting the salaries of state officials, including ministers, as part of efforts to increase government budget efficiency.
Jusuf Kalla's statement regarding this, highlights the need to consider the aspect of proportionality in the policy.
As previously reported, Thursday (19/3), Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa will set the percentage of direct cuts in the budget of ministries and agencies as a step to increase the efficiency of the State Budget (APBN) in the midst of increasing global economic uncertainty due to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
In addition to efficiency at the program level, the discourse on cutting the salaries of ministers and deputy ministers also emerged as part of state budget savings. Purbaya expressed his support for the proposal as a concrete step of solidarity between state officials in saving spending.
"Agree. Oh that's good. If it's good," said the Minister of Finance in response to a question about the plan to cut the salaries of officials at the ministerial level.
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