Today's Top 3 News: Indonesia's Ministry of Finance Cancels 2025 Scholarship Program Due to Budget Cut

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Tempo English compiled the  on Saturday, February 8, 2025. Here are the highlights: Indonesia's Ministry of Finance Cancels 2025 Scholarship Program Due to Budget Cut; Jokowi on Blocked IKN Budget by Prabowo: Ask the Government; and Indonesian Minister Turns off the Lights in Government Quest to Cut $19 Billion.

The following is the list of the top 3 news on Tempo English today: 

1. Indonesia's Ministry of Finance Cancels 2025 Scholarship Program Due to Budget Cut

Based on President Prabowo Subianto's instruction to each ministry and agency to implement budget savings, the  (Kemenkeu) has to cancel the Ministerial Scholarship offer for 2025. This decision was also the result of the Leadership Meeting of the Financial Education and Training Agency (BPPK) on January 31, 2025.

"We sincerely apologize for the cancellation of the Ministry of Finance (Kemenkeu) Ministerial Scholarship offer for 2025. As a follow-up to this cancellation, the scholarship registration process has been discontinued effective from the date this announcement is issued," said Wahyu, as quoted by Antara.

2. Jokowi on Blocked IKN Budget by Prabowo: Ask the Government

Indonesian Former President Joko Widodo or  did not say much about the budget for the New Capital (IKN), which was recently held back by President . The IKN budget was blocked following Presidential Instruction Number 1 of 2025 concerning Efficiency in Expenditure in the Implementation of the State Budget and Regional Budget.

According to Jokowi, budget cuts and blockages are within the government's authority. "Ask the Head of the IKN Authority, ask the government," said Jokowi after meeting with Nigerian politician Peter Obi at his residence in Sumber Village, Banjarsari District, Solo, Central Java, on Friday, February 7, 2025.

3. Indonesian Minister Turns off the Lights in Government Quest to Cut $19 Billion

The lobby of Indonesia's Economic Affairs ministry was a bit darker this week when some lights were turned off as the minister looked for savings after President  ordered $19 billion of budget cuts to help fund election promises.

Ministers have responded to the presidential direction by cutting spending across the board, from maintenance of roads and bridges to travel as well on operating costs and new equipment.

TEMPO.CO

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