Jakarta – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said that the management and savings of state finances from unclear programmes will be used to finance initiatives that are more strategic and touch the welfare of the wider community.

This was conveyed by Prabowo while speaking virtually at the World Government Summit 2025 international forum, which was held in Dubai. Prabowo delivered his keynote speech on Thursday (13/2) afternoon.

He said that the government could save around US$20 billion or around Rp 327 trillion, which is equivalent to around 10 per cent of the annual budget.

‘Through careful management of the state budget, we have saved more than US$20 billion, equivalent to about 10% of our annual budget,’ he explained.

‘The savings allocated to projects and programmes without a clear strategy will now be used to finance more than 20 strategic programmes worth billions of dollars that will transform the country,’ he continued.

Prabowo’s programmes include investments in the downstream industries of nickel, bauxite, copper and other key minerals, which will create jobs for the people and improve welfare and living standards.

The government is also intensifying the development of a substantial petrochemical industry, as well as a large AI data centre, which will also create jobs in the country.

In addition, the government is channelling funds into programmes that advance food security, aiming to make Indonesia a food exporter in the next few years.

‘Along with initiatives to increase protein production, support aquaculture, and develop clean and renewable energy projects, utilising our rich mineral and renewable resources,’ Prabowo explained. (RR)