Forestry Minister Says He Will Abide by Presidential Decision on Ministerial Salary Cuts
Forestry Minister (Menhut) Raja Juli Antoni stated he has no objection to ministerial salary cuts as a measure to address the conflict situation in the Middle East. Raja Juli said that as an assistant to the president, he would follow the decision that President Prabowo Subianto would eventually make.
“If that becomes a decision and is beneficial for the nation, I believe everyone must accept it, including myself,” Raja Juli said in the GBK area, Jakarta, on Saturday (14 March 2026).
Raja Juli stated that in a previous full cabinet meeting, Prabowo had instructed the coordinating ministers to examine several efficiency measures. Prabowo, he said, cited Pakistan’s example, which has implemented work-from-home (WFH) or work-from-anywhere (WFA) and salary cuts.
“I believe the relevant coordinating ministers will later examine and study this, and the results will be submitted to the President. As an assistant to the President, as a minister I will follow and obey the President’s decision,” he said.
Furthermore, Raja Juli believed that WFH policies could still operate effectively. He assessed that the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that such a work system could be implemented as long as there were clear performance indicators.
“We have experience from the COVID period, where work from home or work from anywhere works as long as ministers, directors general, and directors establish KPIs, performance indicators that need to be achieved. Remembering what needs to be done daily, weekly, and monthly, I believe that can also be effective,” he explained.
According to him, the Ministry of Forestry itself was already accustomed to conducting meetings online with technical implementation units (UPT) in various regions. Raja Juli stated that his ministry would wait for the policy that the president would eventually decide.
“Even now during normal times, we frequently conduct Zoom meetings with UPTs across Indonesia. So I believe online has already become part of our culture. So it will depend on the President having policies and wisdom, considering international dynamics and what will be done in Indonesia. But again, whatever decision the President makes, I personally will support it,” he said.
Previously, Prabowo stated that several countries had taken adaptive measures in addressing the conflict situation in West Asia or the Middle East. Prabowo then cited Pakistan’s example, which also cut the salaries of cabinet members and parliament members.
This was conveyed by Prabowo while chairing a Full Cabinet Session (SKP) at the State Palace, Jakarta, on Friday (13 March 2026). Prabowo emphasised that the government could not ensure safety without taking proactive measures.
Prabowo stated that Pakistan implemented work from home for both government and private sectors. Working days were also reduced to four days.
“So they consider this critical, calling them critical measures. It is as if for them this is like what we experienced during COVID. They implemented work from home for all offices, both government and private, with 50% working from home. Then they reduced their working days to just four days,” he said.
Prabowo continued that Pakistan also cut the salaries of ministers and parliament members. The budget adjustments were used to help the poor and vulnerable.