PRESIDENT WANTS REALISTIC MACROECONOMIC ASSUMPTIONS IN STATE BUDGET

Jakarta, 19 Shawwal 1436/4 August 2015 (MINA) – President Joko Widodo has stressed that the basic assumptions in the 2016 state budget draft should be set realistically in line with the latest economic developments.

“The basic macroeconomic assumptions should follow the latest economic developments. We want all of them to be set realistically,” the president said during a plenary cabinet session at the Presidential Office here on Tuesday,  Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) reported, quoting Antara News.

The cabinet meeting, began at around 3 p.m. local time, discussed the amount of funds to be allocated in the draft and the simplification of the social assistance fund programs for 2016, among others.

Attended by Vice President Jusuf Kalla, President Jokowi called at the meeting for special attention in managing subsidy funds.

“Electricity, fuel, and non-energy subsidies must be recalculated, so that they will reach the target,” he noted.

He also pointed out that the amount of funds transferred to regions, including budget allocations for villages, will be higher than that set aside for ministries and government institutions in 2016.

“Furthermore, we must exercise caution in conducting control on the field,” he affirmed.

The president added that the distribution of the social assistance funds in 2016 will lay emphasis on the education, health, and poverty alleviation sectors. (T/P010/RO6)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)