Food For The Official Travel Budget, Ministry Of Finance Says Save IDR 3.6 Trillion

Budget saving (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Finance (Kemenkeu) said that it had made a budget savings of IDR 3.6 trillion for cutting the ministry/institutional official travel budget (K/L) requested by President Prabowo Subianto.

"This is from the notes of friends in the treasury, so far we have saved IDR 3.6 trillion, from orders given around October 2024 after President Prabowo Subianto took office," said Director General of Budget Isa Rachmatawarta in a press conference. APBN KITA, Monday, January 6.

According to Isa, the savings made are also one of the reasons for the 2024 State Revenue and Expenditure Budget deficit (APBN) to be reduced to 2.29 percent of GDP and also because of the efficiency of not holding various meetings outside the office.

To note, the 2024 State Budget deficit is IDR 507.8 trillion or 2.29 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This realization is equivalent to 97.1 percent of the 2024 State Budget target of IDR 522.8 trillion.

Just to remind in the Circular numbered S-1023/MK.02/2024 addressed to the Ministers of the Red and White Cabinet, Attorney General, Chief Police, Heads of Non-Ministerial Government Institutions and Heads of the Secretariat of State Institutions. There are seven points of direction.

First, the minister/leading institution is asked to re-examine various activities that require official travel spending on the FY 2024 Budget Implementation List (DIPA) that can be saved. This is done while maintaining the effectiveness of achieving program targets in each K/L.

Second, for the official travel expenditure, a minimum savings of 50 percent of the remaining official travel expenditure ceiling at DIPA TA 2024 is made from the time the letter is determined.

Third, if there is a budget need for official travel expenses that must be met after savings, the minister/leader of the institution can apply for dispensation in the use of the remaining funds to the finance minister.

Fourth, the policy of saving official travel expenditures is excluded for two things, namely spending on official travel for units whose main duties and functions require official travel and fixed official travel expenses, such as official travel costs for agricultural instructors, advisors, and religious instructors as well as official travel costs at embassies/atase.

Fifth, K/L restricts official travel spending independently through a revised mechanism and includes the records of page IV.A DIPA as savings. K/L is also asked to coordinate the implementation of savings in vertical agencies/work units within their respective Ministries / Agencies.

Sixth, the revision of the inclusion in the page IV.A DIPA note was carried out at the DJPb Regional Office (Kanwil).

Seventh, to ensure the implementation of restrictions independently by K/L, the K/L or work unit cannot apply for payment of official travel costs before making the revision.