Jakarta, July 10 -- Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Erick Thohir has said that the proposed 2026 budget of Rp604 billion, or around US$37.2 million, for the ministry will provide real returns to the state.

"With improved SOE performance, the dividends distributed by SOEs to the state via Danantara will become revenue for the government," he explained in a statement received here on Thursday.

"So, we are not burdening the state budget. However, we believe this will contribute additional value to the nation," he added.

Thohir said that the proposed budget allocation is aimed at supporting the ministry's strategic work programs and monitoring of government-assigned tasks.

The Ministry of SOEs and sovereign wealth agency Danant...