JAKARTA - Minister of Public Works (PU) Dody Hanggodo emphasized that the budget efficiency policy being implemented by the government was not an obstacle to performance in his ministry.
Dody even admitted that he had faced a more stringent efficiency condition than this year.
"I used to be much more efficient than this. So, I've never been afraid, yes," he said at a press conference at his office, Friday, April 10.
He believes that the efficiency measures taken by President Prabowo Subianto have a strong foundation.
As a presidential aide, Dody emphasized that he was ready to implement the policy, including finding funding solutions if necessary.
"From yesterday, I said I was a general assistant. If I am asked to work, yes, of course. If I don't have money, I will definitely ask. That's all," he said.
When asked about the possibility of negotiating efficiency policies due to their impact on infrastructure development, Dody dismissed the discourse.
He confirmed there was no plan to ask for a relaxation from the president.
On the other hand, the PU Ministry will make internal adjustments, including reallocating funds to ensure priority programs continue, especially community-based infrastructure.
"Nothing. What do you want to negotiate? If it's about community-based infrastructure, my directors are all masters. They can easily divert from several places to meet community-based infrastructure," said Dody.
According to Dody, the program is the key to maintaining the economic resilience of the community in the current turbulent conditions.
He is also optimistic that previous experience has made his ministry able to implement efficient policies without disrupting development targets.
"Because, after all, we must admit, in economic conditions like today, community-based infrastructure is what can then give the people a little brighter hope, especially at the bottom. So, we will still pay attention to the main thing," he explained.
Previously, the PU Ministry revealed that there were plans to achieve budget efficiency of IDR 12.71 trillion for DIPA in the fiscal year (TA) to maintain the health of the national fiscal.
The efficiency steps are as mandated by President Prabowo Subianto.
It is known that the implementation of efficiency is carried out through the mechanism of optimizing the spending ceiling as a response to global economic dynamics and efforts to reduce the deficit of the State Budget (APBN) 2026.
"This sharpening of spending is based on the Minister of Finance's letter No: S-181/MK.03/2026 dated April 1, 2026 through the optimization of the ceiling of IDR 12.71 trillion in order to mitigate the global conditions and keep the state budget deficit under control," said Dody in a Working Meeting with Commission V of the Indonesian House of Representatives at the Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Tuesday, April 7.
To note, the initial budget ceiling for the Ministry of PU in 2026 was set at IDR 118.89 trillion.
With the efficiency plan, the remaining budget ceiling is IDR 106.18 trillion.
Dody emphasized that at this time his party was adjusting the details of the allocation of internal organizational units with the Ministry of Finance (Kemenkeu) to determine the priority of projects to continue.
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