Suahasil: Efficiency is More Than Just Cutting Budgets
Finance Minister Suahasil Nazara has asserted that the efficiency of State Budget (APBN) expenditure is not merely an effort to slash budgets. According to her, the essence of efficiency is to optimise every rupiah spent to generate the greatest possible benefits for the community.
“Efficiency is not just about cutting spending. Efficiency is about using existing expenditure to produce maximum output, which in turn benefits the public,” Suahasil stated following her inauguration as Finance Minister at the State Palace, Jakarta, on Monday (14/9).
Suahasil explained that efficiency is an integral part of comprehensive state budget management, covering aspects of revenue, expenditure, and financing. Through well-targeted expenditure management, the state budget is expected to deliver a real and direct impact on the public.
In addition to focusing on efficiency, Suahability emphasised the importance of maintaining the health and credibility of the state budget in financing the national development agenda. She underscored the government’s commitment to maintaining fiscal discipline by keeping the budget deficit below the three per cent limit of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Regarding the initial steps of her leadership, the former Deputy Finance Minister stated that she would study and follow up on various ministerial decisions, including the restructuring of structural positions within the internal environment. She ensured that all operational activities within the Ministry of Finance would continue to run normally during this leadership transition period.
President Prabowo Subianto officially inaugurated Suahasil Nazara as Finance Minister, replacing Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa. This appointment is stipulated in the Decree of the President of the Republic of Indonesia Number 97P of 2026 concerning the Dismissal and Appointment of the Finance Minister of the Red and White Cabinet for the remainder of the 2024–2029 term.
Before assuming the role of Finance Minister, Suahasil had a long track record at the Ministry of Finance. She served as Deputy Finance Minister since October 2019 and remained trusted in that position during the change of government in October 2024, before eventually being promoted to Finance Minister.
Fauzi Amro, Deputy Chairman of Commission XI of the House of Representatives (DPR), assessed that President Prabowo’s appointment of Suahasil Nazara as Finance Minister is a correct step towards improving the fiscal system.
Finance Minister Suahasil Nazara expressed President Prabowo Subianto’s directives to maintain the health and credibility of the state budget to support the government’s priority programmes.