Jakarta – The newly elected Governor of Banten, Andra Soni, welcomed the government’s policy to cut overseas business trip expenses as a form of efficiency in the 2025 state budget. Moreover, according to him, the saved budget can be allocated to the education sector.
“I am a cadre of the Gerindra Party.” So I am very familiar, very confident with what Mr. Prabowo has planned. And he is a focused person and he definitely works hard and he is confident in what he has planned,” said Andra to reporters, Sunday (16/2/2025).
According to him, Banten Province still needs improvements in its educational infrastructure.
“We in the regions certainly have to support our rough calculations, our needs are approximately around 800 kitchens in the province of Banten,” said Andra.
Even though there is a budget efficiency policy, Andra ensures that the priority programs promoted during the campaign can still be implemented. Moreover, he said, the Banten Regional Budget for 2025 has been set since November 2024, before the 2024 Regional Election took place.
“God willing, some of the programs we outlined in our vision and mission during the campaign can be implemented, one of which is related to free schools,” he said.
“Yes, private high schools, vocational schools, and Madrasah Aliyah in Banten Province according to the program we created, and schools that are willing to cooperate.” God willing, we will implement it in the new academic year of 2025,” Andra continued.
Build Rural Infrastructure
In addition to education, Andra also promotes a rural infrastructure development program called Bangun Jalan Desa Sejahtera, or abbreviated as Bang Andra.
“This aligns with Asta Cita because it starts building from the village or starts building from the bottom,” he said.
Regarding budget efficiency, Andra emphasized that the cuts will be focused on business trips, office supplies, and printed materials.
“The direction is clear that related to official travel, related to office supplies, related to printed materials, there are many things that can be detailed and, God willing, I have experience in the DPRD, there are stages or processes that we can elaborate on, and I believe that all stakeholders in the Province of Banten related to the APBD will definitely support,” he explained.
Andra emphasized that this efficiency aligns with President Prabowo’s directive, who has long been discussing budget leaks.
“We realize that Mr. Prabowo has been saying since 2004 that many of our budgets are leaking and so on, here it is detailed that there are many things we need to tidy up together so that they are more beneficial for the community,” he emphasized.
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