{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1666440,
        "msgid": "prabowo-refuses-to-increase-national-debt-40-ratio-wont-be-exceeded-1775721059",
        "date": "2026-04-09 13:45:21",
        "title": "Prabowo Refuses to Increase National Debt, 40% Ratio Won't Be Exceeded!",
        "author": "",
        "source": "CNBC",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Economy",
        "summary": "President Prabowo Subianto has committed to avoiding reckless increases in national debt, pledging to maintain the debt-to-GDP ratio at 40% and the budget deficit at 3%, despite pressures from global events like the Middle East conflict driving up energy subsidy costs in the 2026 budget. Coordinating Minister Airlangga Hartarto highlighted this directive from a recent government meeting, noting that Indonesia's current 40.46% ratio remains relatively low compared to advanced economies. Former Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu emphasised the importance of debt service ratios, efficient spending, and revenue enhancement through tax reforms to ensure debt supports economic growth without negative perceptions.",
        "content": "<p>President Prabowo Subianto has assured that the government will not\nrecklessly add new debt, even as the state\u2019s spending needs grow larger.\nThis is particularly in response to economic pressures caused by the war\nin the Middle East, which temporarily drove up global oil prices and\nincreased the need for energy subsidies in the 2026 state budget.\nCoordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto stated that\nduring yesterday\u2019s government working meeting at the State Palace on\nWednesday (8 April 2026), President Prabowo Subianto instructed his\nministers to keep the debt-to-GDP ratio and the state budget deficit\nwithin the limits set by the State Finance Law. \u201cThe President is\ncommitted to maintaining the debt ratio at 40% level even though the law\nallows up to 60%, and similarly the budget deficit at 3%. This will be\nmaintained until the end of the year,\u201d Airlangga said at a press\nconference after the meeting, quoted on Thursday (9 April 2026). For\ninformation, the Ministry of Finance recorded total government debt at\nRp9,637.9 trillion in 2025. This pushed the debt-to-GDP ratio to 40.46%.\nDeputy Chairman of the National Economic Council (DEN) Mari Elka\nPangestu assessed that a debt ratio of 40.46% of GDP is actually\nrelatively low compared to many other countries, especially advanced\nones that are over 100%. What needs attention, according to Mari, is the\ndebt service ratio (DSR). DSR is a financial ratio that measures the\nability of individuals or businesses to pay debt instalments compared to\ntotal net monthly income. \u201cWe can\u2019t assess debt management just from the\ndebt-to-GDP ratio. We also have to look at the debt service ratio. So\nhow much of our budget is absorbed for paying interest, for example, in\nrevenue,\u201d she explained when met after the launch of the official DEN\nwebsite on Friday (13 February 2026). On this occasion, she reminded\nthat debt should not be viewed negatively. She urged the public to see\ndebt in terms of its use for economic development. \u201cSo don\u2019t view debt\nas something negative. All countries borrow. The important thing is that\nthe debt is used to generate growth so it can be repaid,\u201d she said. Not\nonly that, Mari emphasised the important next step is efforts to\nincrease revenue, both through expanding the tax base or improving tax\nadministration. This is crucial homework. \u201cImportant homework. Beyond\nthat, of course, the expenditure side. We already discussed government\nspending that can be more efficient,\u201d she explained.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/prabowo-refuses-to-increase-national-debt-40-ratio-wont-be-exceeded-1775721059",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}