Purbaya: State Budget Deficit Remains Under Control, Expenditure Not Squandered
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has assured that the State Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBN) remains well-maintained amid global economic dynamics.
He emphasised that the fiscal deficit is still within safe boundaries and budget management is being carried out cautiously.
Purbaya stated that the government continues to safeguard fiscal continuity while preparing space to respond to global economic turbulence.
“The deficit is under control and the budget is not being squandered. We are managing everything well,” Purbaya said during a virtual press conference on Government Policies in Response to the Current Geopolitical Situation on Tuesday (31/3/2026).
“Our calculations show that even with an average of 100 dollars until the end of the year, our budget remains continuous and the deficit is still controlled,” he added.
He stressed that the public need not worry about the APBN’s condition, as the government has managed the budget in a disciplined and measured manner.
“The deficit is under control and the budget is not being squandered. We are managing everything well and we have calculated through to the end of the year,” Purbaya explained.
Compared to the same period in the previous year, the deficit has increased significantly. In February 2025, the APBN deficit was recorded at Rp 30.7 trillion, or about 0.13% of GDP.
On the revenue side, state revenues up to the end of February 2026 were recorded at Rp 358 trillion, or 11.4% of the 2026 APBN target of Rp 3,153.6 trillion. This realisation represents a 12.58% increase compared to the same period last year, which reached Rp 317.4 trillion.
In detail, tax revenues reached Rp 290 trillion, or 10.8% of the target of Rp 2,693.7 trillion. This figure is higher than the tax revenue realisation in February 2025, which was Rp 240.6 trillion.
Meanwhile, non-tax state revenues (PNBP) were recorded at Rp 68 trillion, or 14.8% of the target of Rp 459.2 trillion.
On the expenditure side, the government has realised spending of Rp 493.8 trillion, or about 12.8% of the state expenditure ceiling in the 2026 APBN, which totals Rp 3,842.7 trillion. This realisation is a 41.9% increase compared to state spending in February 2025, which was Rp 348.1 trillion.
“Tax collection in the first two months of 2026 grew by 30%. We will ensure that it remains stable going forward,” Purbaya said during an iftar with journalists at the Ministry of Finance on Friday (6/3/2026).