Sri Mulyani vows to assess zero-deficit state budget by 2027 or 2028

 Indonesia's Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said her ministry would assess the feasibility of achieving President Prabowo Subianto’s goal of a zero-deficit state budget by 2027 or 2028.

Speaking at a press conference on the 2026 draft state budget (RAPBN) and financial notes here Friday, she said the Finance Ministry would carry out gradual evaluations based on fiscal developments.

"To project a balanced budget in the next two to three years, we must first assess the situation in 2026. But we will work in line with the president's expectations," she said.

According to Indrawati, the government's near-term focus remains on optimizing spending during the final four months of the 2025 state budget (APBN), while also preparing the 2026 APBN.

"We will continue to conduct assessments on the president’s directive and report the results to him," she said.

President Prabowo first raised the zero-deficit goal during a speech to parliament on Friday, noting that 2026 state revenue is projected at 3,147.7 trillion rupiah (USD194.6 billion), with a deficit of 638.8 trillion rupiah (USD39.5 billion), or 2.48 percent of GDP.

"It is my dream to stand here in 2027 or 2028 and announce that we have successfully formulated a zero-deficit budget," Prabowo said, adding that his administration would continue to pursue fiscal efficiency.