The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) has responded to\ndiscussions on salary cuts for state officials to achieve budget savings\nby emphasising the importance of setting an example from the highest\nlevels of national leadership.<\/p>\n
PDIP Central Board Chairman Andreas Hugo Pareira called for the\npolicy to begin with President Prabowo Subianto and the Vice President\nbefore being applied to other officials.<\/p>\n
According to Andreas, cost-saving measures must be initiated by\nleaders as a genuine commitment to the public. \u201cIf we are to cut costs\nand economise, then it must start from oneself first. Starting from the\npresident, vice president, ministers, and state officials throughout the\nrepublic,\u201d Andreas told reporters on Tuesday, 17 March.<\/p>\n
He stressed that society needs concrete examples from leaders\nregarding efforts to improve state budget efficiency. \u201cSet an example\nfrom the top that in this nation we must truly be more efficient and\neconomical,\u201d said the Deputy Chair of Commission XIII of the Indonesian\nParliament.<\/p>\n
Andreas also criticised the possibility that cost-saving measures\nwould be imposed only on certain parties whilst the government was seen\nto still have inefficient budget allocations. \u201cDo not order others to\ncut costs whilst the government itself continues to allocate budgets\ninefficiently, with waste occurring everywhere,\u201d he asserted.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, he urged the government to conduct a comprehensive\nevaluation of budget allocation across all ministries and institutions.\n\u201cIn technical terms, the budget needs to be reviewed again at each\nministry and institution. There are allocations that are not pressing\nand not urgent that could be postponed,\u201d Andreas explained.<\/p>\n
The salary cut discussion was previously raised by President Prabowo\nSubianto as one option for savings amid pressure from the global crisis\ncaused by conflicts in Eastern Europe and the Middle East.<\/p>\n
Prabowo cited the example of Pakistan\u2019s government, which has cut\nsalaries for officials and members of parliament as a cost-saving\nmeasure amid the global crisis situation. He emphasised the importance\nof proactive measures to keep Indonesia economically secure.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe cannot assume that whatever happens we are safe. We are grateful\nwe are safe, but we must take cost-saving measures,\u201d Prabowo said.<\/p>\n
In his presentation, Prabowo explained that Pakistan has taken\nvarious drastic steps, ranging from implementing work-from-home to\nreducing working days. \u201cThey have implemented work from home for all\noffices, both government and private, with 50 percent working from home.\nThen they cut their working days to just four days,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Additionally, Pakistan has also cut the salaries of state officials\nto be allocated to vulnerable populations. \u201cThey have even reduced\nsalaries for cabinet members and members of parliament, and these\nsavings are collected to help the weakest groups,\u201d he continued.<\/p>\n
Beyond that, Pakistan\u2019s government has also restricted fuel usage,\nhalted non-priority spending, and reduced foreign visits. \u201cThey have\nhalted all foreign visits, are not permitted to use government funds for\nevents, and many other expenditures have been stopped,\u201d Prabowo\nexplained.<\/p>\n
He stressed that these measures serve as an example that Indonesia\ncould study when facing global pressures. \u201cThis is merely an example. I\nbelieve we should also strive for cost savings. I am confident that in\n2-3 years we will be very strong, but we must still economise,\u201d he\nconcluded.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/pdip-demands-salary-cuts-begin-with-president-and-vice-president-1773745109", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }