The government\u2019s discourse on savings through salary cuts for\nofficials and the implementation of work from home (WFH) is deemed not\nto touch the main fiscal issues of the state. Political analyst from the\nCitra Institute, Efriza, states that such policies are more symbolic\nthan real solutions.<\/p>\n
\u201cSavings through salary cuts for officials and the discourse on WFH\none day a week are not structural solutions,\u201d he said in a written\nstatement on Monday (23\/3).<\/p>\n
He assesses that these steps tend to merely build an image of elite\nempathy towards the state\u2019s financial condition, without significant\nimpact on the overall budget.<\/p>\n
According to Efriza, the effectiveness of savings should be directed\ntowards sectors with large budget burdens, such as bureaucratic\nspending, non-priority projects, and budget leakages.<\/p>\n
He also views WFH as only suitable as an additional option, not a\nmain priority in efficiency policies. \u201cWFH one day is merely an\nadditional option, not a priority; indeed, WFH can reduce operational\ncosts and increase work flexibility, but the risks are significant if\nimplemented for too long, potentially lowering bureaucratic performance,\nespecially if not accompanied by clear supervision and evaluation\nsystems,\u201d explained Efriza.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, he mentions cabinet streamlining as a more\nimpactful step, though laden with political risks. \u201cIt is more\nappropriate to streamline the cabinet, or opt for the dissolution and\/or\nmerger of state institutions deemed no longer sufficiently productive.\nThis is more substantial than salary cuts for officials,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
The bloated cabinet structure, in his view, not only burdens the\nbudget but also slows government coordination. However, this option is\ndeemed difficult for President Prabowo Subianto to take due to its close\nties to political stability and relations with supporting parties.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt cannot be denied that the political reality in Indonesia shapes\nthe cabinet often becoming an instrument of coalition accommodation as\nwell as volunteers, so streamlining is not just a technocratic matter,\nbut also concerns political stability,\u201d stated Efriza.<\/p>\n
He assesses that, although effective in governance, cabinet\nstreamlining requires great political courage and risks disrupting\nparliamentary support.<\/p>\n
Therefore, he urges the government to focus on steps with broader and\nmore sustainable impact. \u201cIf the goal is truly savings with real impact,\nthen the steps must target the \u2018big pockets\u2019 of the budget, not just\nsymbolic policies,\u201d said Efriza.<\/p>\n
He emphasises the importance of a combination of policies, from\ncutting non-priority spending, strengthening bureaucratic reforms, to\ntightening supervision of budget leakages. According to him, without\ncomprehensive steps, efficiency policies risk stopping as mere discourse\nwithout real impact on the state\u2019s financial condition.<\/p>\n
Member of Commission II of the Indonesian House of Representatives,\nAli Ahmad, responds to the discourse on salary cuts for state officials\nup to ministers being studied by the government as a savings\nmeasure.<\/p>\n
The discourse on salary cuts for officials conveyed by President\nPrabowo Subianto is deemed logical as a step to save the state\nbudget.<\/p>\n
Based on calculations, the savings impact from this policy is very\nsmall compared to the total state budget.<\/p>\n
The discourse on salary cuts for state officials is not just about\nnumbers or savings, but a political statement that can truly become\nsymbolic politics or moral authority.<\/p>\n
Chairman of PP Muhammadiyah, Anwar Abbas, comments on President\nPrabowo Subianto\u2019s plan to cut salaries for officials, especially\nministers and members of the House of Representatives.<\/p>\n
The President explained the need for efficiency by looking at\nIndonesia\u2019s ICOR score, which tends to be higher compared to\nneighbouring countries.<\/p>\n
The House of Representatives carries out budget efficiency of up to\nRp1.3 trillion. Several positions underwent savings. Even for salaries\nof council members up to employees.<\/p>\n
Chairman of the National Economic Council (DEN), Luhut Binsar\nPandjaitan, revealed that the planned budget efficiency in three rounds\nwill affect all lines of government.<\/p>\n
Iwan also highlighted Prabowo\u2019s statement mentioning \u2018little kings\u2019\nwho oppose budget efficiency policies.<\/p>\n
Prabowo revealed that currently there are a handful of parties who do\nnot want this policy to happen. However, Prabowo ignores it and remains\nsteadfast.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/symbolic-efficiency-measures-deemed-insufficient-1774245077", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }