Jakarta - The government ensures that the defense budget will still be prepared even though the state budget is still in a deficit position. Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said all budget needs had been calculated so that the deficit would remain below 3 percent of gross domestic product or GDP.
Purbaya made the statement to reporters while accompanying President Prabowo Subianto to receive additional TNI AU alutsista at Halim Perdanakusumah Air Base, Jakarta, Monday (18/5).
"Next year has been budgeted quite large," said Purbaya.
He said that strengthening defense was still needed amid global uncertainty. According to Purbaya, the government needs to maintain national defense capabilities.
"It's true that we have to maintain our defense capabilities," he said.
When asked about the state budget which is still in deficit, Purbaya said the government had included the budget needs in the fiscal calculation.
"With this, we have calculated that the budget is allowed a 3 percent deficit, below 3 percent of GDP. So don't worry," he said.
Purbaya ensures that defense spending does not interfere with other programs. He said that the program for free nutritious meals, subsidies, fuel, and other development programs has also been taken into account.
"So we have calculated everything well," said the Minister of Finance.
He also responded to criticism that the government's fiscal policy was problematic. Purbaya said Indonesia's deficit was still under control. Last year, the state budget deficit was at the level of 2.8 percent of GDP.
"So there is no problem," he said.
Purbaya also compared Indonesia's debt position with a number of European countries. According to him, Indonesia's debt ratio is still around 40 percent of GDP.
"We are still good, the economist should praise us," said Purbaya.
The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)
