The article "Indonesia’s Fiscal Policy in the Aftermath of the Pandemic" by Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Elan Satriawan, and Abdurohman discusses the Indonesian government's fiscal policy responses to the economic challenges following the pandemic. The global economic landscape post-pandemic has been characterized by high interest rates, geopolitical tensions, and aggressive monetary tightening, which have impacted Indonesia's economy. Despite these challenges, Indonesia managed to maintain economic growth at 5.0% in 2023, slightly down from 5.3% in 2022. The government's conservative approach to fiscal policy, including narrowing the budget deficit and maintaining a primary surplus, has helped stabilize the economy. However, the country still faces significant fiscal challenges, such as low tax revenue and the need for more development to encourage long-term growth. The article highlights the government's efforts to improve tax policy and administration, including comprehensive reviews of tax incentives and exemptions. It also emphasizes the importance of improving the efficacy of spending, particularly in areas like energy subsidies, local development policies, and poverty alleviation programs. The government's fiscal policy has been effective in cushioning short-term shocks, but medium- to long-term challenges remain, including the need for infrastructure development, human capital improvement, and regulatory reforms to attract foreign investment. The article also examines the social protection budget, noting that while it has increased significantly since 2020, it still represents a modest portion of GDP. It discusses the effectiveness of social assistance programs in reducing poverty and improving well-being, while acknowledging issues such as exclusion and inclusion errors in targeting. Finally, the article provides an overview of the 2023 budget performance and outlines the direction for fiscal policy in 2024, emphasizing the need for continued fiscal discipline and strategic investments to support economic stability and growth.The article "Indonesia’s Fiscal Policy in the Aftermath of the Pandemic" by Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Elan Satriawan, and Abdurohman discusses the Indonesian government's fiscal policy responses to the economic challenges following the pandemic. The global economic landscape post-pandemic has been characterized by high interest rates, geopolitical tensions, and aggressive monetary tightening, which have impacted Indonesia's economy. Despite these challenges, Indonesia managed to maintain economic growth at 5.0% in 2023, slightly down from 5.3% in 2022. The government's conservative approach to fiscal policy, including narrowing the budget deficit and maintaining a primary surplus, has helped stabilize the economy. However, the country still faces significant fiscal challenges, such as low tax revenue and the need for more development to encourage long-term growth. The article highlights the government's efforts to improve tax policy and administration, including comprehensive reviews of tax incentives and exemptions. It also emphasizes the importance of improving the efficacy of spending, particularly in areas like energy subsidies, local development policies, and poverty alleviation programs. The government's fiscal policy has been effective in cushioning short-term shocks, but medium- to long-term challenges remain, including the need for infrastructure development, human capital improvement, and regulatory reforms to attract foreign investment. The article also examines the social protection budget, noting that while it has increased significantly since 2020, it still represents a modest portion of GDP. It discusses the effectiveness of social assistance programs in reducing poverty and improving well-being, while acknowledging issues such as exclusion and inclusion errors in targeting. Finally, the article provides an overview of the 2023 budget performance and outlines the direction for fiscal policy in 2024, emphasizing the need for continued fiscal discipline and strategic investments to support economic stability and growth.