Total Government expenditures in the seven months ended July 31, 2022 reached Rp1,444.8 trillion or an increase of 5.6% from Rp1,368.4 trillion in the seven months ended July 31, 2021, primarily due to more cash transfers (Bantuan Langsung Tunai (“BLT”)) distributed by the Government, in anticipation of the increase in cooking oil prices in the second quarter, offset by a significant reduction in funds required for the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly for health clusters and patient payment claims, as a result of the development of Covid-19 case management controls. Total central Government expenditures increased by 8.2% from Rp952.8 trillion in the seven months ended July 31, 2021 to Rp1,031.2 trillion in the seven months ended July 31, 2022, primarily caused by an increase in non-line ministries expenditures realization for the distribution of subsidies, compensation for fuel oil and electricity, as well as the payment of pensions and health insurance for civil servants. Total transfers to regions and rural fund decreased by 1.9% from Rp415.5 trillion to Rp413.6 trillion.
Fuel Prices and Subsidies
The basic price and retail price of certain types of fuel are set by the Government through the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources taking into consideration fuel purchasing cost, distribution cost, storage cost, and margin. Although the Government subsidy for fuel was eliminated in 2015, kerosene and gasoil continue to be subsidized by the Government. Historically, spending on subsidies has consumed a large portion of the Indonesian state budget. However, the Government in recent years has been implementing measures to raise subsidized fuel prices and reduce energy subsides by controlling the consumption of subsidized fuel through regulations, increased supervision and distribution management. In the past, fuel hike announcements have resulted in protests in major cities across Indonesia.
With recent global and domestic economic challenges, greater emphasis has been placed on improving national competitiveness. The Government is pursuing a more focused subsidy regime to provide direct subsidies to low income households and to allocate a large part of the budget for infrastructure development. Following the adjustment of fuel subsidies, the Government has implemented a conditional cash transfer program for low-income households. “Smart cards” have been introduced to provide improved health care services, better facilities, education assistance and other kinds of social assistance.
The savings from reductions in fuel subsidies have been allocated to more productive Government spending. For example, energy subsidy spending was Rp97.6 trillion for 2017 and increased to Rp153.5 trillion for 2018, and then decreased to Rp136.9 trillion for 2019, and to Rp108.8 trillion for 2020. In 2021, energy subsidy spending increased to Rp140.4 trillion and further increased to Rp208.9 trillion for 2022. The increase in energy subsidy is intended to keep people’s purchasing power under control amidst the upward trend in crude oil and Indonesian Crude Price (the “ICP”) prices as well as the recovery of economic activity and increased mobility of the people. Spending for infrastructure was Rp381.2 trillion for 2017, Rp394.0 trillion for 2018, Rp394.1 trillion for 2019, Rp286.5 trillion for 2020, Rp417.4 trillion for 2021 and Rp365.8 trillion for 2022.
The table below sets forth the amount of subsidies for the periods indicated.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year ended December 31, | | | Seven months ended July 31, | |
| | 2021L | | | 2022B | | | 2022R | | | 2021 | | | 2022P | |
| | (in trillions of Rupiah) | |
Subsidies: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Energy subsidies | | | 140.4 | | | | 134.0 | | | | 208.9 | | | | 69.5 | | | | 88.7 | |
Non-energy subsidies | | | 101.7 | | | | 72.9 | | | | 74.7 | | | | 30.0 | | | | 27.5 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total subsidies | | | 242.1 | | | | 207.0 | | | | 283.7 | | | | 99.6 | | | | 116.2 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
E-26