Kemenlu Faces Efficiency Cuts Of Rp 2 Trillion, Affecting Payments For 99 Offices And Ambassador Transfers

Several programs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemenlu) are affected by a budget cut of Rp 2 trillion. The Secretary-General of Kemenlu, Cecep Herawan, stated that this reduction impacts spending on rent, including payments for 99 offices and residences abroad. "The efficiency measures will affect the payments for 99 office buildings and representative residences overseas, as well as the rental payments for homes for 1,133 staff members currently stationed abroad," Cecep mentioned during a meeting with Commission I at the DPR RI building in Central Jakarta on Thursday (February 13, 2025). He also noted that efficiency will impact travel expenses, particularly for the rotation of diplomats. "This will directly affect the rotation and transfer of ambassadors, consuls general, and other staff for assignments to and from Indonesian representations abroad that need to be carried out in 2025," he added.

Cecep revealed that in 2025, there is a need to transfer around 750 employees and their families. "Currently, the initial DIPA for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not include transfers for leadership positions at the ambassador, consul general, consul, and deputy head of representation levels," he said. Additionally, Cecep pointed out that efficiency will also affect participation in international negotiations and meetings, as well as payments for building acquisitions through an installment system that has been in place since 2016. "Efficiency may also impact the essential duties and functions of the Central Work Unit and Indonesian representations abroad in conducting overseas travel for participation in various negotiations and meetings at bilateral, regional, and multilateral levels," he explained.

For context, the Kemenlu budget has been reduced by Rp 2 trillion from the established budget ceiling of Rp 9.8 trillion for 2025. "We have just received a letter from the Minister of Finance detailing the efficiency figures for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which amount to Rp 2,032,137,571,000."

Tag: Cecep Herawan DIPA Kemenlu