Jakarta, May 14 -- The Executive Director of the Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (Indef), Esther Sri Astuti, assessed that the 21.81 percent surge in government spending during the first quarter of 2026 will accelerate national development.

When contacted in Jakarta on Thursday, she noted that government spending, which reached Rp815 trillion (approximately US$46.4 billion) in early 2026, highlights the significant role of fiscal policy.

She explained that expansive government spending is generally designed to boost aggregate demand, create jobs, and drive growth in real Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which can fast-track national development if distributed effectively.

Astuti urged the government to maximize the mult...