Malanginspirasi.com – The Prabowo-Gibran administration is implementing budget efficiency measures aimed at reducing expenditures deemed indirect contributors to national development. This initiative has sparked discussions among academics and policymakers, particularly from Dr. Salahudin SIP MSi MPA, a lecturer in Political Science at Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM).
Dr. Salahudin has acknowledged the necessity of budget efficiency but emphasizes that such measures should be implemented selectively to avoid hindering national development.
While the intention behind budget efficiency is commendable, aimed at curbing wasteful spending, the lecturer expresses concern over potential cuts in strategic sectors such as education, health, research, and sustainable development studies.
“Efficiency efforts should target administrative expenditures that do not directly impact development,” he asserts.
Furthermore, Dr. Salahudin points out that strategic programs like education and health should receive full support rather than face budget reductions. He noted that the current efficiency policy appears to be aligned with the government’s promise to provide free nutritious lunch programs, a key commitment of the Prabowo-Gibran campaign.
However, he cautions that prioritizing the national budget for this program may inadvertently undermine other equally vital sectors, subsequently stalling overall development.
“The risk associated with this policy is that it may hinder the acceleration of national development,” Dr. Salahudin warns.
Dr. Salahudin cautions that such a policy risks slowing down the pace of development. Excessive budget reductions in ministries and state agencies may lead to a lack of adequate resources to execute key programs, resulting in detrimental effects. He warns that ministries will struggle to advance development initiatives due to limited available resources.
Additionally, he highlights that this budget efficiency is closely linked to the ambitious plans for the development of the new capital city, Nusantara (IKN), and the growing national debt.
To navigate these complexities, Dr. Salahudin advises the government to conduct a reassessment of programs that genuinely require budget efficiency versus those that are critical for national progress.
He urges the Prabowo-Gibran administration to ensure that all state officials perform their duties effectively and to avoid unproductive decisions such as excessive budget efficiency.
“It is crucial to avoid across-the-board cuts, especially in programs related to public welfare and long-term development,” he concludes.
