JAKARTA - Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa launched a sharp criticism of the World Bank because the institution often makes economic projections wrong.
For information, in the December 2025 edition of the Indonesia Economic Prospects (IEP) report, the World Bank estimates that Indonesia's state budget deficit in 2025 and 2026 will be in the range of 2.8 percent, while for 2027, the deficit is projected to increase to 2.9 percent, although it is still below the maximum limit of 3 percent as stipulated in the State Finance Law.
Purbaya also reminded the public not to immediately believe the predictions of international financial institutions.
"So I told the World Bank to handle it? Yes, he likes it, he predicts it can be, it's okay not to predict it, but it has often been wrong so far," said Purbaya in the APBN KiTA press conference, quoted Friday, December 19.
He explained that the amount of the state budget deficit depends heavily on the government's ability to manage state spending and optimize revenue.
According to him, various improvements made at the Directorate General of Taxes (DJP) and the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DJBC) will encourage an increase in state revenues.
"Customs, I have shown that we have implemented AI in the field and should continue to improve in the future. From the improvement of AI alone we can get at least Rp1 trillion. Later we will improve others, the leakage from Customs will be significantly reduced," he explained.
Purbaya assessed that the World Bank's projection could have occurred if there were no improvement efforts. However, with ongoing reforms, the state budget deficit can still be controlled.
"Because we are changing and one more, we are also controlling spending. This means that it can be widened, it can be not depending on our needs. But I am sure we will control it at a level that is still sustainable in the future. So don't worry too much," he said.
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