The Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs has announced a significant reduction in official travel for its personnel, a move aimed at bolstering essential public services amidst budget constraints. Minister Nasaruddin Umar stated that overall official trips would be cut by 65 percent as part of efforts to enhance efficiency and curtail non-priority expenditures.
According to Kastolan, head of the Ministry’s Planning Bureau, international official travel will be reduced by up to 70 percent, while domestic trips are slated for a 65 percent decrease. The financial savings generated from these measures are intended to be redirected to support core public service programs.
Speaking in Jakarta, Minister Umar urged officials to embrace innovative planning strategies, emphasizing that future challenges, rather than current budgetary limitations, should guide their approach. He stressed the importance of identifying alternative solutions when financial resources are restricted.
The Minister called for a shift in planning mindsets across the ministry, asserting that budgetary pressures should not hinder efforts to address religious issues or prevent priority programs from reaching grassroots communities. He advocated for strengthened coordination among directorate generals, regional offices, and state religious universities, promoting a collaborative “super team” approach over individual efforts.
Additionally, Minister Umar encouraged the involvement of community service students to support initiatives such as improving Quran literacy and preventing unregistered marriages. He also called for the integration of programs involving religious counselors, mosque imams, and local religious affairs offices to maximize their impact.
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