Budget Efficiency Expands: Now the Turn of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs to Follow the Ministry of Defence's Lead

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The government’s budget-saving efforts are beginning to spread across various ministries and local governments. Following the Ministry of Defence (Kemhan)’s implementation of efficiency in the use of fuel oil (BBM), similar steps are being taken by the Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri), which are also encouraging local governments (Pemda) to implement savings in operational expenditures. This efficiency policy is being adopted in response to global economic pressures, particularly the impact of rising world oil prices, which is driving the more selective and targeted optimisation of state budget usage. Nevertheless, the government assures that social assistance programmes (bansos) remain the top priority. “The interests of the public remain the priority, such as regular bansos, disaster bansos, and atensi programmes, including quick responses to families in need of government assistance,” said Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf, or Gus Ipul, on Wednesday (25/6/2026). According to him, efficiency is being achieved by reviewing non-priority budget items, such as ceremonial activities or expenditures that can still be postponed. Funds from those positions will then be redirected to more pressing needs. Savings are also being made on operational facilities, from electricity and room air conditioning (AC) to office stationery and meeting implementations. For example, in the previous year, Kemensos managed to save around Rp 1 billion from electricity usage efficiency alone. That amount is estimated to increase if savings are implemented comprehensively across various expenditure components.