CELIOS has released its latest report highlighting a budget efficiency strategy worth IDR 306.7 trillion. If implemented properly, this reallocation could expand social protection programs and improve public welfare. However, CELIOS warns that if the budget is concentrated solely on the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program under a universal coverage scheme, the risk of a heavy fiscal burden is unavoidable. As an alternative, CELIOS recommends a more efficient targeted approach, which would require only IDR 117.93 trillion compared to IDR 400 trillion under the government’s scheme.

With the right approach, a budget surplus of IDR 259.76 trillion could be allocated to strengthen various social programs and public services. This additional funding could support PKH with IDR 30.37 trillion for 10.16 million beneficiary families, PIP and university scholarships with IDR 28.2 trillion, PBI JKN with IDR 47.21 trillion for 98.35 million participants, fertilizer subsidies with IDR 54.86 trillion for 9.98 million farmers, and settle IDR 5.7 trillion in unpaid performance allowances for ASN lecturers. CELIOS also emphasizes the importance of optimizing alternative tax revenues, such as carbon tax, wealth tax, and coal production tax, to ensure the sustainability of pro-people policies without straining state finances.

CELIOS has released its latest report highlighting a budget efficiency strategy worth IDR 306.7 trillion. If implemented properly, this reallocation could expand social protection programs and improve public welfare. However, CELIOS warns that if the budget is concentrated solely on the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program under a universal coverage scheme, the fiscal burden could become unsustainable. As an alternative, CELIOS recommends a more efficient targeted approach, which would require only IDR 117.93 trillion compared to the government’s proposed IDR 400 trillion.

With the right approach, a budget surplus of IDR 259.76 trillion could be redirected to strengthen various social programs and public services. Additional funding could support IDR 30.37 trillion for 10.16 million PKH beneficiaries, IDR 28.2 trillion for the Smart Indonesia Program (PIP) and university scholarships, IDR 47.21 trillion for 98.35 million BPJS Health participants under PBI JKN, IDR 54.86 trillion in fertilizer subsidies for 9.98 million farmers, and IDR 5.7 trillion to settle unpaid performance allowances for civil servant lecturers. CELIOS also stresses the importance of optimizing alternative tax revenues—such as carbon tax, wealth tax, and coal production tax—to ensure the sustainability of pro-people policies without straining state finances.

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