TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo demanded all ministries, state institutions, and regional administrations to refocus and reallocate the budget amid the coronavirus outbreak that hit the Indonesian economy.

"I order all ministers and regional heads to cut non-priority budgets," said the president as he started the limited meeting on monetary and fiscal policy to deal with the economic impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic via a video conference on Friday, March 20.

This means the budget on business trips, meetings, and purchases of less-priority goods would be dropped.

He asserted that the budget must be focused on three sectors: first the health sector, especially in efforts to tackle the coronavirus contagion; and second for social assistance programs that are expected to increase the public consumption and purchasing power.

"The Family Hope Program, Health Card Program (KIS), Smart Card Program (KIP), Staple-food Card program, rice assistance program (Rastra), and so on, must be implemented as soon as possible," the president underlined.

Jokowi also asked the Village Minister and Home Affairs Minister to immediately disburse the village funds, especially for matters that are related to cash-intensive programs. He also wanted the budget allocation focuses on boosting the economic incentives for businesses, especially MSMEs and the informal sector.

DEWI NURITA