Indonesia’s parliament passes Prabowo’s maiden budget

JAKARTA (Reuters) – Indonesia’s parliament on Thursday passed President-elect Prabowo Subianto’s maiden budget for 2025, with spending set at 3,621.3 trillion rupiah ($237 billion) and the fiscal deficit projected to be 2.53% of gross domestic product.

The budget assumes economic growth of 5.2%, a small increase from 2024’s forecast of 5.1%, and a revenue target of 3,005.1 trillion rupiah.

The budget accommodates key programmes of Prabowo’s incoming government, including a free meal policy for children which will cost 71 trillion rupiah, free health check-ups, the building of hospitals and renovating schools, and food security initiatives.

Prabowo will start his five-year term on Oct. 20.

($1 = 15,272 rupiah)