Budget Politics and (un)policy

Lately, life has felt increasingly burdensome for residents. Even if they do not need to queue for gas, our conscience and moral compass are disturbed by the growing visibility of injustice. We are witnessing budget turmoil, which has a direct impact on the public because some institutions that have to cut their budgets perform basic public service functions. For example, the budget of the Ministry of Public Works was cut by Rp 81.38 trillion from the original Rp 110.95 trillion, the Ministry of Transportation was reduced to Rp 17.9 trillion from Rp 31.5 trillion, and the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education was cut by around Rp 8 trillion. The impact that has already begun to be felt includes the cessation of subsidies for some public transportation and the termination of contracts for some employees.

Recently, the public has become upset because, amid the significant budget cuts that are starting to be felt, the Ministry of Defense has appointed several new special staff members, which will undoubtedly burden the budget. It should also be noted that the size of the cabinet also incurs very high costs. Moreover, each official also demands excessive privileges, such as road escorts, which not only disrupt road traffic but also use public funds.

In the public domain, everything must be based on public morality, which means considerations for the public interest, the many, not the interests of the elite or the ambitions of the rulers. Therefore, the state budget is a public budget. It is not merely a series of numbers, but a reflection of the perspectives and values currently employed by the government. The economists who draft the budget translate whatever is decided politically. This is the "budget politics," which is the political process that occurs in the determination and allocation of the public budget.

So we should ask, what is the reason behind that budgetary politics? What is the basis for determining the government's priorities? Why is the defense and security budget maintained, but the maintenance costs and school buildings reduced? Why are highly paid special staff with minimal track records considered more important than teachers and lecturers? Are the reasons given acceptable from the perspective of public morality? Is it appropriate, for instance, if defense is interpreted as food security?

It is also important to explore whether the policy-making process is conducted in accordance with the general principles of good governance. Because it does not stop at budget issues that ultimately strangle, the public is also squeezed by policies that have adverse effects on them. Ideally, the work of the government, along with its budget, should be incorporated into policy formation. The problem is, policies are often seen merely as a way for the government to operate, once again without morality.

Policies must also take into account the budget for implementing the policy from the outset and take into account the impacts and risks that may arise.

Policy is not merely about issuing regulations or revising them through speeches and social media posts. Policy must also, from the outset, consider the budget for implementing the policy and account for the potential impacts and risks that may arise. Free Nutritious Meals (MBG), for instance, should be viewed not just as a program, let alone a project merely to fulfill campaign promises. This program must be crafted as a policy that has already taken the budget into account and ensures the ultimate goal of this policy, which is the state's way of achieving social justice for poor children. Not for children whose parents are actually capable of providing a decent lunch.

Not only is budget prioritization and policy implementation unclear. State management is also treated like a laboratory or a place to test policies. Public involvement is seen from the reaction after the policy is issued, not in a meaningful participation mechanism. The policy on gas, for example, which caused a shortage of LPG, was changed after many protests from residents. The same thing happened with the increase in value added tax, the formula of which was also changed after there was major rejection. In fact, criticism can also be silenced by the noise of buzzers and influencers on social media, who are even appointed as officials by the government. It is as if public morality is diminished by the loud voices of buzzers without any basis in data, arguments, let alone public morality.

Budget politics and policy-making must be changed if the government is serious about implementing the constitution. Public budgets and policies do not belong to the elite and to fulfill personal ambitions, but rather power that must be used for the people and can be accounted for.