Ministry of Social Affairs to Efficiently Manage Fuel and Operational Spending, Social Assistance Remains a Priority

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos) will implement savings on the use of fuel oil (BBM) and several operational expenses amid the rise in global oil prices. Despite these efficiencies, Kemensos assures that social assistance (bansos) programmes will remain the primary priority. This efficiency measure, he said, follows the President’s directive to review non-priority spending. According to him, budgets from activities that can be postponed will be redirected to more pressing needs. Efficiencies will also be applied to operational facilities, such as electricity, air conditioning (AC), office stationery, and meeting implementations. “Starting from the use of AC, electricity, purchasing office supplies, meetings, and so on. We will make all of them more efficient,” he explained. Regarding the amount of budget to be saved, he said it is still in the calculation stage and targeted to be completed in the near future. “Perhaps next month we can already calculate it. Currently, it is still in process,” he said. “That’s just from electricity alone, not including other components. Later, it will certainly be adjusted,” concluded Gus Ipul.