By: Dhita Karuniawati
The administration of President Prabowo Subianto continues to push for budget efficiency to improve transparency and the effectiveness of public service digitalization. President Prabowo Subianto has instructed for the efficiency of the government’s budget amounting to IDR 306.69 trillion in the 2025 State Budget (APBN) and Regional Budget (APBD) to maintain fiscal stability and support more optimal public services. The target for budget efficiency is outlined in the Presidential Instruction (Inpres) No. 1 of 2025 concerning the Efficiency of Spending in the Implementation of the 2025 State Budget (APBN) and Regional Budget (APBD).
The main points of the Inpres include setting a budget efficiency target of IDR 306.69 trillion, consisting of IDR 256.1 trillion from the budgets of ministries and agencies, and IDR 50.59 trillion from transfers to regions. Several government officials, ranging from ministers of the Merah Putih Cabinet, the TNI Commander, the National Police Chief, the Attorney General, to governors, regents, and mayors, are directed to implement budget efficiency measures in various sectors.
Following Presidential Instruction (Inpres) No. 1 of 2025 concerning the Efficiency of Spending in the Implementation of the State Budget (APBN) and Regional Budget (APBD), the Head of the National Civil Service Agency (BKN), Prof. Zudan Arif Fakrulloh, has formulated 10 instructions for Civil Servants (ASN). These instructions aim to create a more adaptive, efficient, and responsive working system to meet the needs of the public.
Zudan stated that budget efficiency is not an obstacle but an opportunity to improve the quality of public services. To address budget efficiency in accordance with President Subianto’s instructions, a more adaptive work scheme is needed so that tasks and jobs can be carried out effectively and efficiently.
With the right approach, budget efficiency can be a moment for ASN to implement more flexible and effective work patterns. This aligns with the government’s efforts to realize a transparent, efficient bureaucracy with a direct impact on society.
As a concrete step in supporting the budget efficiency policy, BKN implements 10 main instructions, namely: the elimination of flexible working hours to improve discipline and work effectiveness; a hybrid work scheme, consisting of Work From Anywhere (WFA) for two days and working in the office for three days a week; daily performance reporting systems that are more concrete and measurable to increase accountability; limiting business trips, both domestic and international, to reduce unnecessary spending; optimizing online coordination as an alternative to physical meetings to save operational costs; efficiency in energy use, including electricity and other resources in the workplace; adjusting work attire, emphasizing comfort without neglecting professionalism; more effective use of the budget, ensuring every expenditure has a tangible impact; optimizing cooperation with partners and third parties without sacrificing good governance principles; and improving the effectiveness of personnel consultations at regional offices to be faster and more efficient.
Zudan also explained that this policy would impact the improvement of ASN management quality. Budget efficiency is not just about cost-cutting but also an opportunity to simplify bureaucratic processes, expedite the resolution of legal and welfare issues for ASN, and ease career development and education for civil servants.
With the right approach, ASN is expected to face this challenge with a positive and innovative attitude, ensuring that public services continue optimally even in the context of budget efficiency.
Meanwhile, Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs (Menkomdigi) Meutya Hafid stated that the budget efficiency mandated in Presidential Instruction No. 1 of 2025 is an opportunity to strengthen digital transformation in Indonesia in a more efficient and innovative manner. This Inpres serves as a moment to prove that the effectiveness of programs is far more important than just considering the budget size.
As a concrete step, the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs will re-prioritize programs and budgets to ensure that programs directly affecting public interests continue to run optimally.
Meutya Hafid stated that budget efficiency is not merely about cutting spending but finding new partnership patterns, optimizing cooperation, and enhancing the effectiveness of program implementation. One particular focus in this efficiency effort is the reduction of office supplies (ATK) budget by up to 90%. The Ministry will further assess whether this has a significant impact or if it creates opportunities for further efficiency.
Meutya Hafid has also instructed the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs to coordinate with the Ministry of Finance to ensure that these efficiency measures align with national digitalization needs. Priority programs that impact public services and digital security must not be compromised.
Minister of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (UMKM) Maman Abdurrahman also implements budget efficiency in line with Presidential Instruction No. 1 of 2025 regarding the efficiency of spending and the implementation of the 2025 State Budget (APBN) and Regional Budget (APBD).
Maman stated that the presidential instruction on budget efficiency offers many benefits. In several sectors, there are indeed budgets that can be made more efficient. These funds should be allocated to sectors that have more benefits, especially for the broader public.
Government agencies at the central and regional levels must work together to ensure the success of the budget efficiency policy so that its benefits can be felt by the people of Indonesia in a comprehensive manner. The budget efficiency policy clearly prioritizes the interests of the nation and the state. Therefore, all elements of society must also monitor the implementation of this budget efficiency policy to ensure that its realization meets the target.
*) The author is a contributor at the Indonesian Strategic Information Studies Institute.
