Road and bridge preservation becomes a priority

This article has been translated by PwC Indonesia as part of our Indonesia Infrastructure News Service. PwC Indonesia has not checked the accuracy of, and accepts no responsibility for the content.

Investor Daily - Preservasi jalan dan jembatan jadi prioritas

17 February 2025

By Heru Febrianto

The Public Works Ministry will prioritise cash-for-work programmes and the preservation of roads and bridges, following an increase in its budget from Rp29.57 trillion to Rp50.48 trillion.

House of Representatives (DPR) Commission V has approved an active budget ceiling for the Public Works Ministry for 2025, amounting to Rp50.483 trillion after efficiency measures. This announcement was made during the work meeting of DPR Commission VI at the Senayan Parliamentary Complex in Jakarta on Thursday (13/2).

DPR Commission V Chair Lasarus stated that the meeting focused on discussing the ministry’s productivity following the additional budget allocation. “Today, we are discussing productivity, which has been eagerly awaited by the people. We will support the government in focusing on their tasks in accordance with the indicative budget ceiling that we will approve today,” Lasarus said in Jakarta on Friday (14/2/2025).

Based on the calculations, the budget of the Public Works Ministry increased by nearly 50% compared to the amount after the initial efficiency measures, which was Rp29.57 trillion.

"After the budget reconstruction, the budget increased. Efficiency decreased from Rp81 trillion to Rp60.469 trillion, resulting in a new budget ceiling for the Public Works Ministry of Rp50.48 trillion," Lasarus explained.

Previously, the budget of the Public Works Ministry for 2025 was reduced by nearly 80%. In the previous year, the budget ceiling was Rp110.95 trillion. After the initial efficiency measures, this left the 2025 budget at Rp29.57 trillion.

During the occasion, Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo stated that, in accordance with Finance Minister Letter Number S-75/MK.02/2025 dated 13 February 2025, regarding the follow-up on the efficiency of ministry/agency expenditures in the implementation of the state budget for fiscal year 2025, the budget of the Public Works Ministry for 2025 has been reduced to Rp60.4 trillion.

Furthermore, Dody mentioned that the budget ceiling will be allocated to several key areas, including employee expenditure, office operations, the Directorate General of Water Resources, the Directorate General of Highways, the Directorate General of Human Settlements, the Directorate General of Strategic Infrastructure, as well as regulation, guidance, and supervision.

"Alhamdulillah (Praise be to God), with the additional budget, inshallah (God willing), we can implement the Acceleration for Irrigation Water Usability Improvement (P3-TGAI) programme at 8,000 locations for Rp1.8 trillion and human settlement initiatives at 1,025 locations for Rp700 billion. These are cash-for-work programmes, and these are our preliminary findings shortly after receiving the letter from the Finance Ministry," Minister Dody revealed.

Additionally, Minister Dody mentioned that, with the budget reconstruction, the Public Works Ministry can allocate funds for the preservation of roads and bridges. “In line with the directive from the Commission V Chair yesterday, with the additional budget, we can carry out preservation activities. Currently, we can allocate the budget for six months, but we will rearrange it to enable preservation for 12 months,” Minister Dody added.

Following the budget reconstruction, the indicative budget ceiling for fiscal year 2025 is as follows: the Secretariat General at Rp443.5 billion, the Inspectorate General at Rp76.3 billion, the Water Resources Directorate General at Rp23.386 billion, the Highways Directorate General at Rp17.095 trillion, the Human Settlements Directorate General at Rp6.396 trillion, the Strategic Infrastructure Directorate General at Rp2.147 trillion, the Directorate General of Construction Development at Rp378 billion, the Directorate General of Infrastructure of Public Works and Housing Infrastructure Financing at Rp67.3 billion, the Regional Infrastructure Development Agency (BPIW) at Rp288.1 billion, and the Human Resources Development Agency (BPSDM) at Rp208.8 billion.

Impacts to road safety

Meanwhile, DPR Commission V Member Irmawan believes that the 80% budget reduction for the Public Works Ministry could impact the safety of road users. He suggests that the budget constraints may reduce funds for the routine maintenance of roads and bridges. If this is the case, roads and bridges will be more susceptible to damage, potentially compromising the safety of road users.

"We are urging the Public Works Ministry to ensure that the budget reduction does not affect the funds allocated for the repair and preservation of roads and bridges," Irmawan stated in his written statement.

He explained that routine maintenance of roads and bridges is crucial to minimise road accidents. Currently, many roads still have potholes, cracks, and puddles, which increase the rate of accidents. "This is especially concerning during Eid and New Year holidays when traffic increases," he stated.

Irmawan mentioned that the budget reduction for the Public Works Ministry could also lead to increased unemployment. He noted that many of the ministry's projects, including the preservation of roads and bridges, utilise the cash-for-work scheme, which employs a significant number of workers.

"The efficiency measures might result in people becoming victims, as they will not enjoy the benefits," he stated.

Ensure basic infrastructure

Previously, DPR Commission Chair Lasarus emphasised that relevant ministries must continue to prioritise the Community-based Infrastructure programme, ensure the availability of basic infrastructure, enhance interregional connectivity, and maintain existing infrastructure.

Additionally, Commission V is requesting its work partners to ensure the continuity of projects that have completed their tenders, particularly urgent infrastructure projects with significant economic impact. Budget utilisation must be implemented on target, on time, and with accountability.

"The projects directly related to the lives of the people must be ensured. If there are any that have not been accommodated, they must be reproposed to the government to provide certainty," Lasarus said at a meeting of DPR Commission V with all work partners in the meeting room of DPR Commission V in Jakarta on Wednesday (12/2).

Specifically for the Transportation Ministry, Lasarus highlighted the importance of infrastructure readiness as Eid homecoming approaches. He emphasised that poor road conditions can increase the risk of traffic accidents.

"I am concerned about the heavy traffic expected during Eid. If road conditions are not maintained, this could lead to an increase in the number of accidents," he affirmed.

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