{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1631042,
        "msgid": "indonesia-eyes-us-4-7-billion-in-savings-to-brace-for-middle-east-war-impacts-1774259480",
        "date": "2026-03-23 15:43:00",
        "title": "Indonesia eyes US$4.7 billion in savings to brace for Middle East war impacts",
        "author": "",
        "source": "CNA",
        "tags": "Asia",
        "topic": "Economy",
        "summary": "Indonesia is targeting up to US$4.7 billion in budgetary savings to mitigate the economic fallout from escalating conflict in the Middle East, which has driven up global oil prices. The government is considering fuel-saving initiatives, such as mandating one remote working day per week for public sector employees, while committing to preserve key programmes like fuel subsidies and the free meals initiative. These measures support President Prabowo Subianto's ambition to elevate economic growth to 8 per cent by 2029 through sustained public spending.",
        "content": "<p>Indonesia eyes US$4.7 billion in savings to brace for Middle East war\nimpacts<\/p>\n<p>The country is also mulling fuel-saving measures including one day of\nremote working per week for government and certain public sector\nworkers.<\/p>\n<p>JAKARTA: Indonesia is eyeing up to 80 trillion rupiah (US$4.7\nbillion) in savings to cushion its economy from the fallout of the war\nin the Middle East, according to the government.<\/p>\n<p>Southeast Asia\u2019s largest economy is also mulling fuel-saving measures\nincluding one day of remote working per week for government and certain\npublic sector workers as United States-Israeli strikes on Iran and\nTehran\u2019s retaliatory response in the Gulf have sent global oil prices\nsoaring.<\/p>\n<p>In an interview recorded last week, President Prabowo Subianto was\nasked about a possible shift in budget priorities for the country that\nheavily subsidises fuel for its population of just over 284 million.<\/p>\n<p>The former general said the government was \u201cmaking every effort\u201d to\ncut costs by curbing energy consumption and boosting production of\nrenewables, mainly solar power.<\/p>\n<p>During the interview, presidential spokesman Prasetyo Hadi suggested\nthe government is seeking savings of 80 trillion rupiah - a number\nconfirmed to AFP by the presidency on Monday (Mar 23).<\/p>\n<p>Prasetyo did not detail where the money would come from.<\/p>\n<p>The government has repeatedly insisted Prabowo\u2019s signature free meals\nprogramme - budgeted at US$19.7 billion for 2026 - will remain\nuntouched.<\/p>\n<p>It has also so far staunchly defended its fuel subsidy, which covers\nabout 30 per cent to 40 per cent of the cost for consumers and\nrepresents around 15 per cent of the budget.<\/p>\n<p>These form part of Prabowo\u2019s goal to raise the economic growth rate\nfrom 5.1 per cent last year to 8 per cent by 2029, fuelled by public\nspending.<\/p>\n<p>Unlike many of its neighbours, Southeast Asia\u2019s biggest economy has\nnot yet seen long fuel queues as global oil prices have soared.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere are still many other cost-saving measures that we can\nimplement,\u201d Prabowo said in an interview with journalists and experts\naired by local media over the weekend.<\/p>\n<p>The government will finalise its work-from-home policy and announce\nit to the public \u201cas soon as possible\u201d, Prasetyo said Saturday.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/indonesia-eyes-us-4-7-billion-in-savings-to-brace-for-middle-east-war-impacts-1774259480",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}