Minister Of Religion Admits That He Will Remove 50 Percent Of His Official Travel

Minister of Religion Nasaruddin Umar (center) during a press conference at the opening of the National Working Meeting in Bogor Regency, Friday (15/11/2024). (ANTARA/Asep Firmansyah)

Minister of Religion (Menag) Nasaruddin Umar stated that he would limit official travel for all his staff, in line with President Prabowo Subianto's direction regarding budget efficiency and savings.

"Official travel will be severely restricted. More than 50 percent of official travel will be cut, especially overseas trips," said Nasaruddin Umar when opening the Ministry of Religion's National Working Meeting in Ciawi, Bogor Regency, Friday, November 15, which was confiscated by Antara.

Previously, President Prabowo in a plenary cabinet meeting emphasized that all levels of the Red and White Cabinet needed to make efficiency for official tasks in order to carry out priority programs that brought prosperity to the community.

Not only official travel, President Prabowo also directed that budget efficiency could be carried out by reducing ceremonial activities, both at the national and international levels.

Nasaruddin Umar said President Prabowo gave an illustration that if official travel is carried out on target, there will be a budget that can be saved.

In fact, President Prabowo said that the budget could be guaranteed for the benefit of the people if efficiency steps were taken properly.

"The budget saved can be for zakat and alms for the poor," said Nasaruddin.

Meanwhile, for domestic events, if it can be done digitally, it must be encouraged through the use of technology. Thus, many budgets can be saved because no travel takes a lot of time and costs.

"There is no need to involve unnecessary people, the tradition of bringing a group is no longer the time. Official travel money is better focused on the poor," said the Minister of Religion.

In addition, officials and rectors who will travel abroad must have the permission of the minister of religion not to submit directly to the State Secretary.

"Foreign travel must go through the new Ministry of Religion to the State Secretariat. Central-level officials, rectors, are not allowed to travel abroad without a ministerial permit," he said.