A graft watchdog criticized the government for spending Rp 2.57 trillion (US$194 million) on procurement of cars, saying that it undermines the government's efforts to cut fuel spending.

The Indonesian Forum for Budget Transparency (FITRA) says that, according to the 2013 state budget, 87 ministries and government agencies spend the money to buy 18,502 vehicles, or Rp 289 million apiece.

"The allocation contradicts the government's campaign on saving. It is very ironic that the government purchases more official vehicles at a time when people are dealing with the effect of increased subsidized-fuel prices," FITRA activist M. Maulana said.

Maulana said that the largest portion of the budget went to the National Police, which spent Rp 988.9 billion to purchase 3,664 vehicles. The Agriculture Ministry came second with a budget of Rp 260 billion.

The Finance Ministry and the Transportation Ministry both spend Rp 120 billion and Rp 114 billion on vehicles respectively.