Minister of Public Works: Community-Based Infrastructure Directly Reaches the Grassroots

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Public Works Dody Hanggodo has stated that Community-Based Infrastructure, or IBM, directly reaches the most disadvantaged communities. “We all agree that Community-Based Infrastructure directly touches the communities at the very bottom,” Dody said in Jakarta on Tuesday. The Ministry of Public Works continues to consolidate efforts to ensure that budget optimisation does not affect Community-Based Infrastructure, thereby maintaining an allocation of Rp5.48 trillion for it, with the consequence of adjustments to budgets for non-community-based infrastructure activities. Dody explained that with a total budget allocation of Rp5.48 trillion, the target for community-based infrastructure programme locations in 2026 is 15,364 sites. “For Community-Based Infrastructure, God willing, we will also discuss with the Ministry of Finance whether, for example, it can be spared from cuts, perhaps taking from other areas instead,” Dody said. He noted that discussions on this matter are still in the deliberation stage with relevant parties until 15 April 2026. The Ministry of Public Works is sharpening its spending as a follow-up to the President’s directives to mitigate global conditions and keep the state budget deficit under control.