Finance minister opens option to trim TNI-Polri budgets
Purbaya said no budget shift is under way now, as fiscal conditions remain comfortable.
Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa opened the possibility of cutting defense and police budgets if fiscal conditions and the APBN deficit target come under pressure. After a full cabinet meeting at Istana Negara in Jakarta on Monday, Purbaya said the step has not been discussed for implementation now because fiscal space remains sufficient. He said the defense and police budget lines are large and could be reduced if the deficit is affected. The idea follows President Prabowo Subianto's remarks at Panen Raya Bersama TNI at Lanud Abdul Rachman Saleh in Kabupaten Malang on Friday (17/7), that budget efficiency could include defense and police spending to support the elimination of poverty and hunger.