Commission X Of The DPR Reveals That BRIN Has Faced A Budget Efficiency Cut Of IDR 2.074 Trillion

The X Commission of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) revealed a budget cut for the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) amounting to IDR 2.074 trillion in 2025, which is approximately 35.50% of the established budget limit. My Esti Wijayanti, the Deputy Chair of the X Commission, stated that during a hearing with BRIN on November 12, 2024, the budget limit for BRIN in 2025 was set at IDR 5.842 trillion. "However, due to Presidential Instruction No. 1 of 2025 regarding spending efficiency in the implementation of the State Budget (APBN) and the Regional Budget (APBD) for the 2025 fiscal year, BRIN's budget limit for 2025 has been reduced by IDR 2.074 trillion," Esti mentioned during a working meeting with BRIN on Wednesday, February 5, 2025.

Esti expressed concern that this significant budget cut could impact BRIN's performance in 2025. She hopes that BRIN will clarify the work programs and agendas affected by this efficiency in the next meeting, including the plans for the 2025 fiscal year. "This instruction will certainly affect BRIN's performance for the 2025 fiscal year. We, the X Commission, need to understand the agenda and work programs for 2025, as this efficiency significantly reduces the budget limit. We will discuss this further in the next session," Esti stated. During the working meeting with the X Commission, BRIN Head Laksana Tri Handoko mentioned that they are still preparing steps for budget efficiency.

He explained that in 2025, BRIN is responsible for implementing national priority programs related to strengthening human resources in science, technology, education, and health. "Additionally, we will focus on achievements in gender equality in sports, as well as enhancing the roles of women, youth, and persons with disabilities," Handoko added.

BRIN is carrying out research and innovation activities while strengthening its ecosystem and providing evidence-based policy support. Recently, President Prabowo Subianto instructed the government to cut ceremonial spending. This directive is outlined in Presidential Instruction Number 1 of 2025 regarding Budget Efficiency in the Implementation of the 2025 State Budget and Regional Budget, effective from January 22, 2025. The instruction states, "Limit spending on ceremonial activities, studies, benchmarking, printing, publications, and seminars/focus group discussions," as noted in the fourth clause of the instruction.

Additionally, the President has requested a 50 percent reduction in travel budgets for government officials. The government is also urged to cut spending that does not yield measurable results. Local governments are advised to be more selective in providing direct grants to ministries and agencies, whether in cash, goods, or services. The President aims for total budget savings from both central and local governments to reach Rp 306.69 trillion. This budget includes Rp 256.10 trillion for ministry and agency spending and Rp 50.59 trillion for transfers to regions. The second clause of the instruction states, "The efficiency of the state budget for the 2025 fiscal year is Rp 306,695,177,420,000."

Tag: BRIN DPR National Research And Innovation Agency