Gus Ipul: Social Assistance Not Affected by Budget Efficiency, President Will Increase If Needed

Surabaya - Social Minister Saifullah Yusuf has emphasised that social assistance will not be impacted by the budget efficiency measures currently being planned by President Prabowo Subianto.

The cost-saving policy is guaranteed not to affect programmes that constitute the basic needs of the public.

“What concerns the people, such as social assistance and the like, will not face any efficiency measures. In fact, if needed, the President will increase them,” stated the man familiarly known as Gus Ipul in his remarks on Saturday (21/03/2026).

Conversely, programmes directly related to public welfare will continue to be the government’s top priority.

According to Gus Ipul, the costs to be cut are in sectors that are not priorities, such as budgets for ceremonial events.

President Prabowo has provided clear directives that this efficiency should make the state budget more targeted.

“Efficiency is essentially for matters that can still be postponed. But those concerning the interests of the people will certainly not face any efficiency,” Ipul continued.

This step is taken as a form of anticipation against the dynamic global situation. The government wants to ensure that every rupiah from the state budget truly delivers direct impact to the communities in need.

The government is committed to continuing priority programmes that have proven to have a positive impact.

“Social assistance remains an important instrument of the state in maintaining societal resilience, especially for the most needy citizens,” Ipul stressed.

He assured that government policies will continue to prioritise the interests of the little people while reorganising the budget to be more effective and efficient in other non-basic sectors.