Deputy Minister Of Finance: President Jokowi Asks For Over 95 Percent Realization Of K/L Expenditures

Deputy Minister of Finance (Wamenkeu) RI Suahasil Nazara. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

Deputy Minister of Finance (Wamenkeu) Suahasil Nazara said President Joko Widodo asked for the realization of ministry/institutional expenditures (K/L) above 95 percent by the end of 2023.

Thus, it is hoped that K/L will pay attention to the current absorption of the State Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBN). As of October 2023, the realization of K/L expenditures reached Rp768.67 trillion or 76.8 percent of the Rp1,000.84 trillion ceiling.

"We see that it is still very possible if we can make optimal use of the entire week to three weeks," said Suahasil in Jakarta, quoted from Antara, Tuesday, December 12.

Regarding 2024, Suahasil said that President Jokowi emphasized the importance of seeing price stabilization and ensuring readiness to enter 2024 in the implementation of the APBN. For this reason, K/L is also directed to start implementing the APBN as early as possible from January.

Regarding the distribution of transfers to the regions, the Deputy Minister of Finance said the Ministry of Finance (Kemenkeu) accelerated its implementation at the end of 2023, which is expected to complement the readiness of local governments (Pemda) to maximize budget absorption this year in order to get a maximum effect on national economic growth.

Meanwhile, regarding global economic conditions and developed countries, he revealed that the United States' economic indicators have begun to moderate, both in terms of manpower, economic growth and inflation.

On the other hand, China's economic growth is better than its estimation a few months ago although it is still weak, while Europe's economic growth is still quite heavy and negative.

"Hopefully this can be completed soon so we will close it in 2023. The Ministry of Finance's estimate is that Indonesia's economic growth is still around 5 percent," said the Deputy Minister of Finance.

In terms of domestic inflation, it is recorded that it is still quite under control at the level of 2.9 percent. However, Suahasil reminded to pay special attention to food price inflation, especially towards the end of December during the 2023 Christmas and 2024 New Year celebrations which will increase demand for several food products.

In particular, the government has paid attention to several reported product prices, as well as the readiness of rice stocks, corn and various other commodities.