PAN and Golkar Support Proposal to Cut Ministerial and Parliamentary Salaries with State Budget Evaluation
The Mandate National Party (PAN) and Golkar have responded to President Prabowo Subianto’s proposal to cut the salaries of ministers and DPR members, a measure being examined due to the impact of global conflict. The political parties support the initiative but emphasise the importance of evaluating the state budget (APBN).
PAN Deputy Chairman Eddy Soeparno affirmed that his party is prepared to follow government directives, including the implementation of DPR member salary cuts.
“We follow the President’s direction. For the nation and the public interest, we are naturally ready,” said Eddy in Jakarta on Tuesday (17 March).
He noted that PAN supports various cost-saving measures proposed by the government, ranging from working from home (WFH) to reduced working days.
“We agree with what the President has conveyed, from the possibility of WFH to reduced working days to conserve energy,” he stated.
Similarly, Golkar’s Deputy Chair of Commission II at the DPR, Zulfikar Arse Sadikin, contended that cost savings cannot be achieved solely through official salary reductions, but must encompass all government programmes.
“In such circumstances, we must review everything, not just salaries, but also the programmes and activities of ministries/institutions funded by the APBN,” said Zulfikar.
He expressed agreement with the salary cut proposal, but stressed the necessity for comprehensive budget rationalisation to ensure greater effectiveness.
“That is to say we agree, not just on salaries but on everything. Evaluation must be conducted so that APBN utilisation becomes more effective,” he asserted.
Previously, President Prabowo Subianto proposed several cost-saving measures, including official salary cuts, citing Pakistan’s policy in addressing the global crisis, such as implementing WFH, reducing working days to four per week, and limiting expenditure and energy consumption.
“They implement working from home for all offices, with 50 per cent working from home, and then reduced working days to four days,” stated Prabowo.
He added that savings would also be achieved through cutting official salaries, with the proceeds allocated to vulnerable populations.
“They have even reduced the salaries of cabinet members and DPR members, and the results are collected to assist the weakest groups,” he said.
Additionally, Prabowo outlined restrictions on fuel usage, halting non-priority expenditures, and reducing overseas visits.
“They stopped vehicle purchases, furniture, and foreign visits, and prohibited the use of government funds for events,” he continued.