After Eid Prayer, Gus Ipul Stresses Efficiency Does Not Apply to Social Assistance

Social Minister Saifullah Yusuf (Gus Ipul) stated that the budget efficiency policy directed by President Prabowo Subianto will not touch on the basic needs of the people, including social assistance. The statement was delivered by Gus Ipul after performing Eid al-Fitr prayers at the National Al Akbar Mosque in Surabaya on Monday (21/3).

According to Gus Ipul, budget efficiency is fundamentally aimed at expenditures that can still be postponed, not programmes directly related to public interests.

“Efficiency is basically for things that can still be postponed. But those concerning the interests of the people will certainly not face efficiency. What will be reviewed is which can be postponed, which are priorities, and which are merely ceremonial,” said Gus Ipul in a written statement on Saturday (21/3/2026).

He explained that the President’s directive is very clear, namely to ensure that state budget is used more on target, especially in a global situation that demands caution and fiscal policy effectiveness. Therefore, the evaluation will focus on non-urgent expenditure posts or those that are merely ceremonial.

Gus Ipul assured that the government still places public needs as the top priority. Programmes directly related to public protection will be maintained, including social assistance for vulnerable groups.

“What concerns the needs of the people, such as social assistance and so on, there will be no efficiency. In fact, if needed, the President will add more,” said Gus Ipul.

Gus Ipul emphasised that social assistance remains an important instrument of the state in maintaining societal resilience, especially for citizens who need it most. According to him, government policy remains grounded in public interests and the sustainability of priority programmes that directly touch societal needs.