Prabowo: No projects with large budgets but minimal benefits

President Prabowo Subianto has reminded the government that it must not undertake projects with large budgets but minimal benefits for the public.

“There must be no projects that are only big on budget but small on benefits. There must be no incentives without new jobs. There must be no investment without technology transfer. Every rupiah must have a purpose. Every policy must have a measure. Every official must have accountability,” Prabowo said during the government’s presentation of the 2027 State Budget Bill along with its Financial Note and supporting documents at the Nusantara Building, Parliamentary Complex, Jakarta, on Friday.

Prabowo called on all levels of government to continuously evaluate and maintain discipline in the use of the state budget.

“The government must serve the people, serve the nation, and provide solutions to the people’s difficulties. The government’s primary duty is to protect the entire nation from all threats, threats of danger, threats of poverty, threats of layoffs, and various other threats,” he said.

“Government at all levels must eliminate corrupt practices, fraud, and mark-ups. A mark-up of more than three per cent, in my view, is fraud,” Prabowo stated.

He urged the central and regional governments to increase efficiency in spending the state budget by reducing expenditures deemed not to provide optimal benefits.

“We must cut all inefficient spending. I am pleased that there is no longer a budget for ministry anniversary celebrations. A ministry anniversary is enough with just cutting a tumpeng,” he said.

“It is better to repair schools, improve hospitals, and raise teachers’ salaries rather than hold ceremonies. However, a centralised independence day ceremony is mandatory,” he added.

In his speech, Prabowo emphasised that his administration is striving to build an economy that is not only statistically large but also one that creates a sovereign, strong, and just nation that provides tangible benefits to the people.

“I invite the House of Representatives, the Regional Representative Council, all state institutions, regional governments, the business community, universities, workers, farmers, fishermen, health workers, teachers, and all Indonesian people to jointly oversee this agenda,” Prabowo said.