Prabowo Plans Budget Cuts for TNI-Police

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Prabowo Subianto signaled budget cut for the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and National Police in an effort to eradicate poverty. Prabowo expressed the idea of budget efficiency in both institutions during his speech at the TNI harvest festival in Malang, East Java, on Friday.

Initially, Prabowo stated his desire to eradicate hunger and extreme poverty in the country. "We will save the budget, we will make it more efficient. If necessary, we will reduce the defense and police budget to eradicate poverty," said Prabowo on Friday, July 17, 2026, as broadcast live on the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube channel.

Present at the location were the TNI Commander, General Agus Subiyanto, the TNI Deputy Commander, General Tandyo Budi Revita, the Army Chief of Staff, General Maruli Simanjuntak, the Navy Chief of Staff, Admiral Muhammad Ali, and the Air Force Chief of Staff, Marshal Mohammad Tonny Harjono. In addition, the National Police Chief, General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, attended the festival.

Prabowo also asked the TNI and Police leadership about their readiness if their budgets were cut. "Are TNI and police willing? Will you reduce the budget willingly? Willingly?" asked Prabowo.

In response to Prabowo's statement, the TNI and Police leaders were seen laughing and nodding their heads.

Prabowo then emphasized that the strongest defense is a strong and prosperous people. According to the Gerindra Party Chair, if there is a disruption to the country, it will be the people who defend Indonesia. "That's why from now on, the TNI and Police should be among the people," said Prabowo.

Prabowo's statement differs slightly from the budget discussions for the two institutions in the current House of Representatives. The police budget for 2027 is actually set to increase. The initial indicative budget for the Indonesian Police was Rp118 trillion. They then proposed an additional budget of Rp66.1 trillion.

As for the indicative budget of the Ministry of Defense, including the budget for the TNI, it amounted to Rp139 trillion. They also proposed an additional budget of Rp195 trillion for the coming year.

Read: Prabowo to Lead TNI's National Great Harvest in Malang

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News

Prabowo's Latest Remarks on 'Foreign Stooges' at TNI Harvest Event

46 menit lalu

Prabowo Pushes E20 Fuel Plan, Eyes Construction of 50 Ethanol Plants

2 jam lalu

Prabowo to Lead TNI's National Great Harvest in Malang

6 jam lalu

Indonesian Christians Question Prabowo's Legacy for Papua

7 jam lalu

China Affirms Indonesia Ties After Frenzy over Prabowo Speech

8 jam lalu

Why Finance Minister Purbaya Is Bullish on Rupiah

15 jam lalu

Prabowo Says Masela LNG Project Was Awaited for Three Decades

1 hari lalu

Why Investors Are Suddenly Fleeing Indonesia

1 hari lalu

Prabowo Aide Explains Why TNI Is Authorized to Protect Prosecutors

2 hari lalu

Prabowo to Appoint New Special Crimes Prosecutor This Week

2 hari lalu