double-skinned crabsgood crabVietnamese crab exporter

Indonesia Says It Can Stand on Its Own Without USAID Donations

Jayanty Nada Shofa
March 6, 2025 | 10:17 pm
SHARE
Former US Agency for International Development (USAID) workers show their support to USAID workers retrieving their personal belongings from the agency's headquarters in Washington on Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Former US Agency for International Development (USAID) workers show their support to USAID workers retrieving their personal belongings from the agency's headquarters in Washington on Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Jakarta. Indonesia could stand up on its own feet as it tried to remain unfazed by the USAID freeze fiasco, a government spokesman said on Thursday.

US President Donald Trump wants to dismantle the country's primary overseas aid agency USAID, which has disbursed over $800 million to Indonesia since 2020. On his first day back at the White House, Trump inked an executive order to pause all foreign aid for 90 days to assess whether it is consistent with the US foreign policy.

The US Supreme Court recently rejected the Trump administration's bid to freeze nearly $2 billion in foreign aid. But USAID's future continues to hang in limbo to this day, raising uncertainty for its development programs across the globe.

Foreign Affairs Ministry's spokesman Rolliansyah "Roy" Soemirat revealed that Indonesia had not received any official notification from the US government regarding USAID's fate and which part of the funding will get terminated. Roy also claimed that Indonesia only considered international assistance as being "supplementary" to its funds. He said Indonesia believes it has the financial capacity to sustain its development without the need to heavily rely on foreign money.

ADVERTISEMENT

"From what we have heard, [the US] is still reviewing the USAID. But all this time, the Indonesian government has always considered international funding -- regardless of where they come from -- as something that is supplementary. The main source of funding has always been our state budget," Roy told a press briefing in Jakarta.

As Indonesia's economy thrives, the country is currently transitioning from being a beneficiary to a donor, according to Roy.

"We will keep communicating with the relevant government bodies to make sure that everything goes well, with or without the supplementary assistance from other countries," Roy said.

The USAID money has flown into a wide range of projects in Indonesia.

In 2023, the agency unveiled a $70 million program aimed at improving Indonesia's tuberculosis detection and prevention. It also launched a $50 million investment that same year to provide over 1 million Indonesians access to safe drinking water and sanitation by 2027. USAID pledged to mobilize $300 million for Indonesia's water and sanitation sector while strengthening 100 of such institutions.

Tags: Keywords:
SHARE

Related Articles


News Jul 15, 2026 | 12:22 am

Trump Backs Away From Plan to Charge Fees in the Strait of Hormuz

Iran responded with attacks targeting Bahrain, Jordan, and three tankers that traveled through the strait.
Business Jul 14, 2026 | 9:17 am

S&P Rating Boost Keeps Jakarta Stocks Above 6,000 at Tuesday Open

JCI rose at Tuesday's open after S&P reaffirmed Indonesia's BBB rating, offsetting cautious global sentiment.
Business Jul 10, 2026 | 4:06 pm

Iran Peace Talks Spark Late Rally in Indonesian Stocks

JCI recovered from a sharp midday drop to close higher as hopes for renewed US-Iran talks and a steady IMF outlook lifted sentiment.
News Jul 10, 2026 | 2:52 am

US and Iran Exchange More Attacks Across the Mideast

An Iranian official accused the US of launching an airstrike later Thursday targeting the area around Iran's sole nuclear power plant.
Business Jul 9, 2026 | 4:35 pm

Rupiah Plunges to Rp 18,128 as US-Iran Tensions Escalate

Rupiah plunges to Rp 18,128 per dollar as escalating US-Iran tensions and weaker consumer confidence weigh on sentiment.
Business Jul 9, 2026 | 4:18 pm

JCI Rebounds on ADB’s 5.2% Indonesia Growth Forecast

JCI rebounded 0.67% to 5,912, supported by ADB's forecast that Indonesia's economy will grow 5.2% in 2026 and 2027.
Business Jul 8, 2026 | 4:07 pm

JCI Suffers 2% Selloff After S&P Watchlist, Iran Escalation

Indonesia's JCI lost 1.89% as rising Middle East tensions and S&P's watchlist review of the market sparked broad investor selling.
News Jul 6, 2026 | 3:10 pm

Trump Says 'Thank You, FIFA' After Balogun Suspension Is Lifted

FIFA lifts Folarin Balogun's World Cup suspension after Donald Trump urges a review, prompting outrage from Belgium.
News Jun 24, 2026 | 9:28 am

US-China Rivalry in ASEAN Is Here to Stay, Trump or No Trump

Whoever is the US president, major power competition will remain, Indonesian presidential aide Mari Elka Pangestu tells ASEAN.
News Jun 23, 2026 | 9:20 pm

Pentagon Asks Congress for Roughly $80 Billion to Cover Cost of Iran War

The White House has requested a remarkable $1.5 trillion for the Pentagon — a nearly 50% increase over the current funding levels.

The Latest


News 36 minutes ago

Suspected Gunman Arrested After Shooting at Bali Bar Injures Two

Indonesian police have arrested a suspected gunman in connection with a shooting at The Shady Pig bar in Bali.
Business 2 hours ago

Indonesia Stocks Rise as Investors Eye BI Meeting, Oil Rally

Indonesia's stocks opened higher as stronger domestic sentiment and foreign inflows outweighed global jitters over oil prices and AI stocks.
Business 3 hours ago

Singapore Doesn’t See Haze Issue with Indonesia’s Palm Oil Biodiesel

Singaporean think-tank SIIA recently cautioned about the risk of cross-border haze from a biodiesel rush in Southeast Asia.
News 5 hours ago

Spain Beats Argentina to Win Second World Cup Trophy

Spain allowed only one goal in eight matches at the tournament, setting a World Cup record for fewest goals allowed by a champion.
News 5 hours ago

Controversies Surrounding the Handling of Febrie Adriansyah’s Corruption Case

The Attorney General's Office has not provided a clear explanation as to why Don Ritto was detained while Febrie was not.
COPYRIGHT © 2026 JAKARTA GLOBE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED