Prabowo Reveals Massive State Budget Leakage, Vows to Stop It

President Prabowo Subianto has revealed that significant leakage from the state budget is still occurring and has committed to stopping it immediately. Prabowo stated that the potential for state leakage is substantial, amounting to up to Rp 1,000 trillion (approximately USD 65 billion), and vowed to halt this practice. Speaking at the 28th anniversary event of the National Awakening Party (PKB) at JCC Senayan, Jakarta, on Thursday (23/7/2026), Prabowo elaborated on the issue. He mentioned that the state budget is approximately Rp 3,700 trillion (around USD 270 billion), and if 30 percent of it leaks, it amounts to over Rp 1,000 trillion. Prabowo asserted that he would put an end to the "schemes by many parties" that cause budget leakage. He indicated that such illegal practices are not uncommon in regional areas, implying that the public is aware of these issues. He emphasized that his administration will take strict action against all forms of budget inflation and fraudulent practices. Prabowo also reported that his government has already achieved budget efficiencies, saving up to Rp 300 trillion (approximately USD 19.5 billion) in the first few months of its leadership. These saved funds, he explained, will be reallocated to programs that directly benefit the public, such as the "Free Nutritious Meal" (MBG) initiative and infrastructure development, including the construction of 5,000 bridges by December 2026. Prabowo highlighted the urgent need to improve infrastructure for rural communities, citing instances where villagers previously had to walk for an hour and cross rivers using ropes or makeshift rafts. Additionally, the efficiently managed state funds will be used to renovate schools that have long been neglected. The President instructed that 100,000 schools, which have not received attention for many years, be renovated by the end of the year. Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka was also present at the PKB event, along with the chairpersons of various political parties, including Golkar, Democrats, PKS, and PAN, as well as other party elites.