Purbaya Formulates APBN Efficiency Measures Worth Up to Rp 130 Trillion, Official Trips to be Slashed

JAKARTA - The government is preparing efficiency and refocusing schemes for state expenditure to keep the 2026 state budget (APBN) deficit under control. Pressures from oil prices and global uncertainties form the backdrop to this policy.

Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa stated that savings will be achieved by redirecting budgets from low-priority positions to the government’s main programmes.

The savings target is in the range of Rp 121.2 trillion to Rp 130.2 trillion.

“The figures have already been designed, including which programmes need to be controlled, but we will first inform the ministries and agencies,” Purbaya told the media on Tuesday (7/4/2026).

Efficiency is focused on non-urgent activities. The targeted positions include off-site meetings and official trips.

“If the president’s directive is to reduce domestic trips, the further instruction is to eliminate foreign trips or official travel unless absolutely necessary,” he said.

The government is also evaluating the Free Nutritious Meals programme. The discussed scheme includes reducing the distribution frequency from six days to five days per week.

Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto previously stated that efficiency in this programme could save up to Rp 20 trillion.

The policy does not apply to certain areas. Exceptions include dormitories, underdeveloped, frontier, and outermost regions, as well as areas with high stunting rates.

“The potential for prioritisation and refocusing of ministry and agency budgets (saving APBN expenditure) is in the range of Rp 121.2 trillion to Rp 130.2 trillion,” Airlangga said.

The government has previously carried out budget refocusing. Expenditure on official trips, meetings, and ceremonial activities has been cut.

Budgets are redirected to programmes with direct impact, including disaster management. The total potential for refocusing remains in the range of Rp 121.2 trillion to Rp 130.2 trillion.

“The government invites all society and the business world to remain productive and support this efficiency and cultural transformation in work,” said Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto.