July 9, 2024
JAKARTA – Defense Minister and president-elect Prabowo Subianto on Monday pledged that he would promote good governance in the management of the state budget while in office.
Prabowo made the statement before holding a private meeting with outgoing President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Monday.
“We don’t want leaks. We don’t want the people’s money not being accounted for. We must secure every rupiah and we have to make sure that they are useful for the nation and the people,” Prabowo was quoted by Antara as saying.
Prabowo was responding to a statement made by Jokowi earlier in the morning during an event organized by the Supreme Audit Body (BPK).
In his speech to open the event, Jokowi said that he was optimistic that Prabowo would pay serious attention to BPK reports and recommendations on the management of state finances.
“The current administration and I believe the incoming administration of Bapak Prabowo will pay serious attention to the BPK recommendations, so that the people’s money can be well spent and managed transparently,” Jokowi said.
Speaking to a gaggle of reporters at the Palace, Prabowo added that he would play an important role under his administration in overseeing the state finances.
“The BPK is a very important institution. The BPK will be our champion. Moving forward the BPK will be closely watching,” Prabowo said.
Prabowo is expected to take a more liberal approach to the country’s fiscal policies with many expecting his incoming government will boost the country’s public debt.
Prabowo, who will take office in October, said in May that Indonesia should “be more daring” in taking on debt to fund development programs and hit his 8 percent economic growth target for Indonesia, but he has also repeatedly pledged to comply with budget deficit limits.