By: Dirandra Falguni )*
The Indonesian government has recorded a proud achievement in managing state finances in 2025. Until the end of April, the State Budget (APBN) managed to record a surplus of IDR 4.3 trillion or equivalent to 0.02 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This success is not only a signal of healthy fiscal management, but also proof that President Prabowo Subianto’s priority programs are still running optimally even in tight spending conditions.
Deputy Minister of Finance, Suahasil Nazara emphasized that this achievement reflects efficiency and prudence in managing the state budget. Although his party recorded a surplus, state spending is still directed to financing priority programs that have a direct impact on the community.
One of the mainstay programs of President Prabowo’s government is the Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG), which continues to run optimally amid tight fiscal supervision. As of May 21, 2025, MBG has reached 3.97 million students with a total budget realization of IDR 3.006 trillion. The number of implementing schools has increased drastically from only 45 schools in January to 1,386 schools in May.
Suahasil said that MBG is an important instrument to reduce stunting rates, strengthen children’s immune systems, and maintain the continuity of the learning process. The government targets this program to reach 82.9 million recipients in the fourth quarter of this year.
Not only MBG, the government has also launched the Free Health Check-up Program (PKG) since last February. As of early May 2025, more than 4.2 million residents have utilized this service which is available at 9,346 Community Health Centers throughout Indonesia. Interestingly, the majority of participants come from the productive age group, indicating that public awareness of the importance of health is increasing.
Positive performance was also shown by the education sector. The government is accelerating the distribution of Teacher Professional Allowances (TPG) for Regional ASN through a direct scheme to each teacher’s account, without intermediaries from the local government. Of the total allocation of IDR 66.92 trillion, the first phase of IDR 14.75 trillion has been distributed to 1.26 million teachers. The second phase will be carried out in June with a budget of IDR 15.55 trillion.
The government has also succeeded in maintaining food security. Data as of May 15, 2025 recorded that BULOG’s rice stock reached 3.73 million tons, the highest in the last 57 years. The Ministry of Agriculture reported that national rice production in January-April 2025 increased by 25.7 percent compared to the same period the previous year. This shows the real results of cross-sector synergy and the government’s commitment to maintaining national food security.
The trend of APBN surplus is also reflected at the regional level. The Riau Province Directorate General of Treasury (DJPb) Regional Office recorded an APBN surplus of IDR 584.43 billion as of April 30, 2025. State revenue in Riau reached IDR 8.93 trillion, a sharp increase of 57.3 percent compared to last year. This surge was driven by a drastic increase in Export Duty revenues of up to 1,097.48 percent.
Head of the Riau DJPb Regional Office, Heni Kartikawati, said that this reflects efficient budget management and strong support from the state revenue sector. Transfer spending to regions also grew positively, dominated by Revenue Sharing Funds (DBH) which increased by 55.09 percent.
Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati also said that this surplus APBN is proof of the resilience of the Indonesian economy amidst global uncertainty. The acceleration of state revenues reaching 27 percent of the target, with spending only 22 percent, is the key to the surplus. State revenues reached IDR 810.5 trillion, consisting of taxes of IDR 557.1 trillion, customs and excise of IDR 100 trillion, and PNBP of IDR 153.3 trillion.
At the same time, national economic growth was recorded at 4.87 percent (yoy) in the first quarter of 2025, higher than several countries in Southeast Asia. Inflation is under control at 1.95 percent and the Consumer Confidence Index is at an optimistic level of 121.7.
The APBN surplus is not just a number, but has a concrete impact on society. First, the price of basic necessities can be better controlled because the government has fiscal space for intervention, such as market operations and logistics subsidies. Second, the opportunity to increase energy subsidies such as fuel, LPG, and electricity is increasingly open without having to sacrifice other sectors.
Third, with improved tax revenues, the fiscal burden does not have to be covered with new taxes. In fact, the government is opening up space to evaluate MSME tax rates and PPh to make them more competitive. Fourth, the budget for the education and health sectors remains safe so that public services for the lower middle class can continue to be improved.
In her social media upload, Sri Mulyani emphasized that the Indonesian APBNesia functions as a top agent in maintaining the national economy or called the people’s economic motor. The APBN will continue to be managed carefully but remain expansive to support economic growth and strengthen the national foundation.
The achievement of the 2025 APBN surplus is good news for the Indonesian nation. Not only does it show national fiscal resilience, but it also guarantees that President Prabowo’s priority programs (MBG, free health services, and teacher incentives) continue to run optimally for the welfare of the people. Global challenges come one after another, but the Indonesian APBN has proven its ability as an anchor of stability and a motor of national development. The government is present, the people feel it. Surplus is not just a number, but a real hope.
)* Government Policy Observer
