Indonesian Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati delivers her statement during a hearing on the presidential election result dispute at the Constitutional Court in Jakarta, Indonesia, on April 5, 2024. - AP
JAKARTA: Indonesian Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati stated that testifying about the state budget before Constitutional Court (MK) justices was her contribution to safeguarding public reason, reported Antara news agency.
Sri Mulyani made the statement while presenting her testimony before MK's eight judges at the 2024 Presidential Election disputes hearing at the Constitutional Court Chamber here, on Friday (April 5).
"We believe that the MK 'forum' is one of our ways to safeguard public reason by explaining about the state budget as a medium of mutual assistance for the people, where those wealthier contribute a greater number, and those poorer receive assistance," she stated.
The minister is convinced that her testimony before MK judges will encourage healthy discussion among residents, who will also experience a reckoning of their nationalism.
"Particularly for the younger generation, so that they will understand a good life for the public means endless and tireless improvement," she stated.
Sri Mulyani explained that the state budget is a strategic and essential instrument to realise the nation's vision. She emphasised that the state budget should be managed responsibly with transparent and accountable governance.
The state budget is also expected to become a medium for all national elements to contribute to national development.
"We expect that the open, transparent, and accountable political process we have right now will help us maintain the state budget as the foundation and political capital of the Indonesian nation in achieving the purpose of our nation-building," Sri Mulyani stated.
The minister also expressed gratitude that Indonesia can maintain its state budget at a healthy level when some other countries experience economic and social crises due to poor state budget management.
"We should maintain this achievement," Sri Mulyani remarked.
The Constitutional Court summoned four ministers of the Onward Indonesia Cabinet for the April 5 hearing, as the court decided that their testimonies are required on the election dispute adjudication.
Apart from Sri Mulyani the other ministers are the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs Muhadjir Effendy, the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, and Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini. - Bernama-Antara
