Minister Of Finance Purbaya Admits The Efficiency Policy Is The Cause Of Low Budget Absorption By The Ministry Of Public Works

Minister of Public Works Dody Hanggodo and Minister of Finance Purbaya Yudhi Sadive. (Photo: Theresia Agatha/VOI)

Minister of Finance (Menkeu) Purbaya Yudhi Sadiveh admitted that the budget blocking policy was one of the reasons for the low budget absorption at the Ministry of Public Works (PU) towards the end of the year.

It is known that the Ministry of Finance (Kemenkeu), led by the previous minister, Sri Mulyani Indrawati, carried out the policy in the context of efficiency.

Purbaya also said that his ministry had revoked the budget for ministries/agencies (k/l). However, after being revoked, k/l certainly needs time to start absorbing its spending again.

"Yes, there are several things that have been delayed due to the change in the block, the unlock, all kinds of time at the beginning of the year, yes. So, when starting again it will take time," Purbaya told reporters at the PU Ministry office, Jakarta, Friday, October 17.

The former chairman of the Dewan of the Deposit Insurance Corporation (LPS) confirmed that most of the budget blocking had been opened.

In fact, he said, the Ministry of Finance followed the request for a budget submitted by k/l.

The Ministry of Finance also carefully calculates the ability of k/l to absorb the budget that has been unblocked. Purbaya was sure when k/l asked, then they were sure they would be able to finish it.

"But, we follow the numbers they asked for. So, there is no such problem. If they ask, they will definitely be able. If they can't afford it, they won't ask," explained Purbaya.

Selain Kementerian PU, dua kementerian/badan pemerintahan lainnya juga masuk dalam daftar tiga terendah soal penyerapan anggaran.

Mereka, yakni Kementerian Pertanian (Kementan) dan Badan Gizi Nasional (BGN). Kementan membelanjakan Rp9 triliun atau 32,8 persen dari proyeksi Rp27,3 triliun.

Sementara BGN baru membelanjakan anggaran sebesar Rp19,7 triliun per 30 September 2025, setara 16,9 persen dari proyeksi Rp116,6 triliun.

Apart from the Ministry of Public Works, two other ministries/agencies are also included in the list of the three lowest regarding budget absorption.

They are the Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) and the National Nutrition Agency (BGN). The Ministry of Agriculture spends IDR 9 trillion or 32.8 percent of the projected IDR 27.3 trillion.

Meanwhile, BGN has only spent a budget of IDR 19.7 trillion as of September 30, 2025, equivalent to 16.9 percent of the projected IDR 116.6 trillion.