February 7, 2025 | 10:29 pm
TEMPO.CO, Solo - Indonesian Former President Joko Widodo or Jokowi did not say much about the budget for the New Capital (IKN), which was recently held back by President Prabowo Subianto. The IKN budget was blocked following Presidential Instruction Number 1 of 2025 concerning Efficiency in Expenditure in the Implementation of the State Budget and Regional Budget.
According to Jokowi, budget cuts and blockages are within the government's authority. "Ask the Head of the IKN Authority, ask the government," said Jokowi after meeting with Nigerian politician Peter Obi at his residence in Sumber Village, Banjarsari District, Solo, Central Java, on Friday, February 7, 2025.
Jokowi did not deny that he often communicates with the Head of the IKN Authority, Basuki Hadimuljono. However, he said that their communication is simply to inquire about each other's well-being rather than work-related.
"Yes, sometimes I communicate with the Head of the IKN Authority, just to check on him, not work-related. 'Are you well, Pak Basuki? How's the family?' That's all," he said.
He emphasized that the IKN matter is the government's responsibility and that he prefers not to interfere. "That (IKN) is the government's affair," he said.
On the other hand, Minister of Public Works (PU) Dody Hanggodo, speaking to reporters at Pura Mangkunegaran Solo today, stated that the entire 2025 budget at the Ministry of Public Works is not locked. He explained that there is efficiency in the policy of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.
"Regarding the budget for IKN, ask directly to the Head of the IKN Authority, Basuki Hadimuljono. The budget is a total sum. It's actually not locked. It's just that a few times, the President underlines efficient budget," said Dody.
He further assessed that this is one of President Prabowo's ways to show all his ministers that it is a way to be efficient. He said that efficiency is not only for IKN but for all budgets."It's not just for IKN, it's for everything. In my ministry (PU), we are also being efficient. Ultimately, that's efficiency," he said.
Riri Rahayu contributed to this article.
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