JK highlights need for proportionality in discourse on reducing ministers' salaries

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Former 10th and 12th Vice President Jusuf Kalla has highlighted the need to consider aspects of proportionality in budget efficiency policies and the discourse on cutting ministers’ salaries.

This view was expressed by JK after attending Eid al-Fitr prayers at the field of the Grand Al Azhar Mosque on Saturday.

He assessed that the current salary level for ministers is relatively low compared to officials in other institutions.

“Ministers’ salaries are only around Rp19 million. If cut further, how much would they receive?” JK said in his statement.

The 12th Minister Coordinator for People’s Welfare of Indonesia compared ministers’ salaries with those of officials in State-Owned Enterprises (BUMNs) and members of the DPR, which are higher.

“Salaries in BUMNs are far higher than those of ministers. The DPR’s are also far higher. This is just for information,” he stated.

JK added that ministers do not receive allowances as often perceived by the public. There are only operational costs to support the execution of duties.

“There are no allowances. Only operational costs, that’s it,” he emphasised.

A discourse has emerged on cutting the salaries of state officials, including ministers, as part of the government’s efforts to achieve budget efficiency.

Jusuf Kalla’s statement on this matter highlights the need to consider proportionality in such policies.

Previously reported on Thursday (19/3), Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa will set the percentage of budget expenditure cuts for ministries and agencies directly as a step towards efficient use of the State Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBN) amid rising global economic uncertainties due to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

In addition to efficiency at the programme level, the discourse on cutting salaries of ministers and deputy ministers has also emerged as part of national budget savings. Purbaya expressed his support for the proposal as a concrete step of solidarity by state officials in saving expenditures.

“I agree. Oh, that’s good. If that’s good,” the Finance Minister said in response to questions about plans to cut salaries of officials at the ministerial level.