The Paradox of Budget Efficiency in Prabowo’s Administration
Article Sidebar
Issue
Vol. 6 No. 2 (2025)
Submitted
8 May 2025
Published
31 July 2025
Keywords:
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Prabowo’s Government, Budgeting, Efficiency, Inconsistency, Paradox
Abstract
Abstract: After his inauguration as the 8th President of Indonesia, President Prabowo decided to increase the number of ministers, deputy ministers, and ministerial-level officials. Under Prabowo’s administration, there are 48 ministries, a significant increase compared to the previous government. Naturally, this expansion corresponds to a larger state budget allocation to support ministerial performance. However, through Presidential Instruction No. 1 of 2025, President Prabowo mandated budget efficiency in state and regional expenditures (APBN-APBD) for 2025. Though some remain unaffected, several ministries and state agencies have reduced their budgets in response to this instruction. This situation underscores an apparent inconsistency between these two early policies of Prabowo’s administration. This study aims to analyze this inconsistency using a qualitative case study approach. The findings indicate that although President Prabowo’s policies appear contradictory, they are driven by specific motives, namely accommodative-compromising interests and transactional politics in the expansion of ministries, as well as the need to allocate a substantial portion of the budget to his populist initiative: the free nutritious meal initiative.
Keywords: Prabowo, Cabinet, Efficiency, Inconsistency, Paradox
References
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Wasisto, A. (2021). Patterns of Cabinet Formation in Indonesia: the Case of Yudhoyono and Widodo’s Cabinets. Kajian, 26(1), 21–34. http://dx.doi.org/10.22212/kajian.v26i1.3907
White, J. (2013). The Purpose and Processes of Pork-Barrel Politics (SSRN Scholarly Paper No. 2300306). Social Science Research Network. https://papers.ssrn.com/abstract=2300306
Winters, J. A. (2011). Oligarchy. Cambridge University Press.
Wospakrik, D. (2016). Koalisi Partai Politik dalam Sistem Presidensil di Indonesia. Papua Law Journal, 1(1), 142–161.
Yanwardhana, E. (2024, October 23). Ternyata Ini Alasan Prabowo Punya Menteri & Wamen Banyak. https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/news/20241023153834-4-582429/ternyata-ini-alasan-prabowo-punya-menteri-wamen-banyak
Basyari, I. (2023, October 16). Pascaputusan MK, KPU Revisi Syarat Usia Capres-Cawapres. KOMPAS. Retrieved from https://www.kompas.id/baca/polhuk/2023/10/16/kpu-revisi-syarat-usia-capres-cawapres-di-hari-pertama-tahapan-pencalonan-presiden-wakil-presiden
CNN Indonesia. (2025, February 14). Daftar Kementerian dan Lembaga Terkena Efisiensi Anggaran. https://www.cnnindonesia.com/nasional/20250214075550-32-1198165/daftar-kementerian-dan-lembaga-terkena-efisiensi-anggaran
Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2023). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches (6th ed.). SAGE Publications.
Damanik, I., Rompas, A., Nadia, Z., Berenschot, W., & Warburton, E. (2025). Business-Politics Relations in Indonesia: The Oligarchisation of Democracy. Bulletin of Indonesian Economic Studies, 61(1), 39–60. https://doi.org/10.1080/00074918.2024.2442417
de Vreese, C. H., Esser, F., Aalberg, T., Reinemann, C., & Stanyer, J. (2018). Populism as An Expression of Political Communication Content and Style: A New Perspective. The International Journal of Press/Politics, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1177/1940161218790035
Efriza. (2018). Koalisi dan Pengelolaan Koalisi pada Pemerintahan Joko Widodo-Jusuf Kalla. Populis: Jurnal Sosial dan Humaniora, 3(2), 733–750.
Fajriadi, A. I. (2024, October 21). Daftar 17 Nama Menteri Jokowi yang Dipakai Lagi di Kabinet Merah Putih Prabowo. https://www.tempo.co/politik/daftar-17-nama-menteri-jokowi-yang-dipakai-lagi-di-kabinet-merah-putih-prabowo-808910
Fatah, E. S. (2014, April 21). Koalisi Tanpa Dagang Sapi. Media Indonesia, 14.
Hadi, F., Humam, M. L., Chawarizmi, Z., & Romadoni, A. (2024, October 21). Muzani Jelaskan Alasan Prabowo Tambah Jumlah Menko Jadi 7. https://kumparan.com/kumparannews/muzani-jelaskan-alasan-prabowo-tambah-jumlah-menko-jadi-7-23l3LX7Ssrl/1
Hanusch, M. (2012). Coalition Incentives For Political Budget Cycles. Public Choice, 151(1/2), 121–136.
Holcombe, R. G. (2021). Populism: Promises and Problems. The Independent Review, 26(1), 27–37.
Ihsanuddin. (2024, October 21). Daftar Menteri Prabowo dari Parpol, Golkar Dapat Jatah Terbanyak. KOMPAS.com. https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2024/10/21/11435681/daftar-menteri-prabowo-dari-parpol-golkar-dapat-jatah-terbanyak
Intan, G. (2024, October 25). Prabowo: Jumlah Menteri Banyak Bukan Masalah. https://www.voaindonesia.com/a/prabowo-jumlah-menteri-banyak-bukan-masalah/7837969.html
Intan, G. (2025, February 15). Mulai Maret, Pemerintah Gelontorkan Rp2 Triliun Per Bulan Untuk MBG. https://www.voaindonesia.com/a/mulai-maret-pemerintah-gelontorkan-rp2-triliun-per-bulan-untuk-mbg/7995290.html
Layyina, T. H., Umar, M. R., Rahmadhani, M. A., Cindy, & Ridwan. (2024). Analysis of the Political Oligarchy DPR of Indonesia During the Jokowi Administration (2019-2024). ARRUS Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 4(6), 717–724. https://doi.org/10.35877/soshum3416
Manucci, L. (2017). Populism and The Media. In C. R. Kaltwasser, P. Taggart, P. Ochoa Espejo, & P. Ostiguy (Eds.), The Oxford Handbook of Populism (Vol. 1, pp. 467–492). Oxford University Press.
Surat Edaran Menteri Keuangan RI tentang Efisiensi Belanja Kementerian/Lembaga dalam Pelaksanaan Anggaran Pendapatan dan Belanja Negara Tahun Anggaran 2025, No. S-37/MK.02/2025 (2025).
Narasi Newsroom. (2025, February 10). Presiden Prabowo Soal Efisiensi Anggaran: Saya Mau Menghemat Uang Itu Untuk Rakyat | Narasi Daily [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPoZW5RuM5k
Nugroho, N. P. (2024, October 10). Prabowo Ungkap Alasan Bentuk Kabinet Gemuk: Negara Kita Besar, Bung!. https://www.tempo.co/politik/prabowo-ungkap-alasan-bentuk-kabinet-gemuk-negara-kita-besar-bung-1063721
Rahayu, R., Putri, R. S., Putra, H. R., Antara, Fajri, D. A., & Reliubun, I. (2024, February 4). Sederet Menteri-Wakil Menteri Jokowi yang Aktif Kampanye Dukung Prabowo-Gibran, dari Luhut hingga Bahlil. Tempo. https://www.tempo.co/ekonomi/sederet-menteri-wakil-menteri-jokowi-yang-aktif-kampanye-dukung-prabowo-gibran-dari-luhut-hingga-bahlil-90653
Rassat, F. S. (2023, November 8). indEX: Kepuasan publik terhadap Jokowi jadi faktor penentu Pilpres. Antara News. https://www.antaranews.com/berita/3814302/index-kepuasan-publik-terhadap-jokowi-jadi-faktor-penentu-pilpres
Republik Indonesia. (2025). Instruksi Presiden Republik Indonesia Nomor 1 Tahun 2025 tentang Efisiensi Belanja dalam Pelaksanaan APBN dan APBD Tahun Anggaran 2025. Sekretariat Negara. https://djpk.kemenkeu.go.id/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Inpres-1-Tahun-2025.pdf
Revanda, H. (2024, January 24). Pengamat Bilang Jokowi Turun Gunung di Jawa Tengah untuk Kerek Elektabilitas Prabowo-Gibran | tempo.co. Tempo. https://www.tempo.co/politik/pengamat-bilang-jokowi-turun-gunung-di-jawa-tengah-untuk-kerek-elektabilitas-prabowo-gibran-94521
Rishan, I. (2020). Risiko Koalisi Gemuk dalam Sistem Presidensial di Indonesia. Jurnal Hukum Ius Quia Iustum, 27(2), 219–240.
Sabrina, A. F., Nugraha, R., & Avicenna, A. H. (2024). Analisis Hukum Partai Politik dalam Koalisi Kabinet Prabowo-Gibran. Causa: Jurnal Hukum dan Kewarganegaraan, 8(4). https://doi.org/10.3783/causa.v8i4.7390
Safitri, K., & Farisa, F. C. (2025, January 26). Anggaran Makan Bergizi Gratis Butuh Tambahan Rp 100 Triliun, Siapa yang Minta? KOMPAS.com. https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2025/01/26/09402931/anggaran-makan-bergizi-gratis-butuh-tambahan-rp-100-triliun-siapa-yang-minta
Sanjaya, M. R. (2016). The Political Economy of Coalition in Indonesia. Journal of Developing Economies, 1(1), 1–11.
Septia, T. (2024, October 21). Daftar Lengkap Kabinet Merah Putih Prabowo-Gibran. https://umj.ac.id/just_info/daftar-lengkap-kabinet-merah-putih-prabowo-gibran/
Setuningsih, N. (2024, May 8). Jumlah Kementerian Sejak Era Gus Dur Hingga Jokowi, Era Megawati Paling Ramping. https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2024/05/08/10493971/jumlah-kementerian-sejak-era-gus-dur-hingga-jokowi-era-megawati-paling
Setuningsih, N., Chaterine, R. N., & Octavia, S. (2025, February 16). Ketika Prabowo Akui Rp 24 Triliun Hasil Efisiensi Anggaran untuk Biayai Makan Bergizi Gratis... KOMPAS.com. https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2025/02/16/11275741/ketika-prabowo-akui-rp-24-triliun-hasil-efisiensi-anggaran-untuk-biayai
Sianipar, M. (2024, October 28). Mewaspadai Dampak Buruk Kabinet Gemuk. https://news.detik.com/kolom/d-7610108/mewaspadai-dampak-buruk-kabinet-gemuk
Syahadat, M. I., Arief, I. A., & Efrianto, L. O. (2025). Politik Pork Barrel: Bantuan Sosial (Bansos) Jokowi Menjelang Pemilihan Presiden 2024. Journal Publicuho, 7(4), 2340–2350. https://doi.org/10.35817/publicuho.v7i4.621
Warburton, E. (2024). Private Power and Public Office: The Rise of Business Politicians in Indonesia. Critical Asian Studies, 56(2), 184–206. https://doi.org/10.1080/14672715.2024.2334069
Wasisto, A. (2021). Patterns of Cabinet Formation in Indonesia: the Case of Yudhoyono and Widodo’s Cabinets. Kajian, 26(1), 21–34. http://dx.doi.org/10.22212/kajian.v26i1.3907
White, J. (2013). The Purpose and Processes of Pork-Barrel Politics (SSRN Scholarly Paper No. 2300306). Social Science Research Network. https://papers.ssrn.com/abstract=2300306
Winters, J. A. (2011). Oligarchy. Cambridge University Press.
Wospakrik, D. (2016). Koalisi Partai Politik dalam Sistem Presidensil di Indonesia. Papua Law Journal, 1(1), 142–161.
Yanwardhana, E. (2024, October 23). Ternyata Ini Alasan Prabowo Punya Menteri & Wamen Banyak. https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/news/20241023153834-4-582429/ternyata-ini-alasan-prabowo-punya-menteri-wamen-banyak
Authors
Siagian, M., Rafisa Rona Dillaputri, Calyaretta Meiskha Wanodya, Muhammad Chanif Hidayat, & Everd S.R Daniel. (2025). The Paradox of Budget Efficiency in Prabowo’s Administration. Journal of Government Science (GovSci) : Jurnal Ilmu Pemerintahan, 6(2), 100–110. https://doi.org/10.54144/govsci.v6i2.124
Copyright (c) 2025 Muhnizar Siagian
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