In a recent event marking the groundbreaking ceremony for Campus II of Muhammadiyah University in Purwokerto, Central Java, President Joko Widodo, known as Jokowi, expressed unwavering confidence in Indonesia’s trajectory toward becoming a developed nation. The President believes that the country’s gateway to development is already visible, and with the right strategies, this vision can indeed become a reality.
“The gateway is already visible; it’s just a matter of opening and filling it in, if done correctly and accurately, that’s the developed Indonesia we dream of achieving,” shared Jokowi during the event.
Key to this ambitious dream, according to Jokowi, lies in the meticulous development of human resources. He emphasized the critical role of preparing the workforce in alignment with the nation’s evolving needs. Without such preparation, Jokowi warned, Indonesia could find itself in a situation akin to some Latin American countries, which, despite entering the stage of developing nations several decades ago, have struggled to progress further.
“In Latin American countries in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, they entered the stage of developing nations. Still, even after 50-60 years, they remain developing nations and cannot leap into developed nations because they didn’t seize the opportunity during the demographic bonus period, the productive age years of that time,” explained Jokowi.
Looking forward, Jokowi underlined the pivotal role of national leadership in shaping Indonesia’s destiny. The years 2024, 2029, and 2034, according to him, will be instrumental in determining whether the nation charts a course toward development or faces stagnation. He urged future leaders to comprehend and capitalize on the demographic bonus opportunity that Indonesia will encounter in 2030.
“Because that is the key that determines whether this country will leap into a developed nation or not. National leaders must know how to lead the country. They must understand. So, I say, be cautious because this is an opportunity given only once in the civilization of a nation,” cautioned Jokowi.
Beyond these visionary insights, President Jokowi has committed substantial resources to propel Indonesia’s development. In 2023, the government allocated an unprecedented budget for infrastructure – a staggering Rp 455.8 trillion, marking a 22.2% increase from the previous year. This substantial investment reflects a steadfast commitment to enhancing the nation’s foundational elements.
Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati shed light on the intricacies of this substantial budget during a press conference, emphasizing its diverse applications.
“For infrastructure, it’s Rp 455.8 trillion. This is often a point of focus, what do we get from Rp 455 trillion?” queried Minister Sri Mulyani.
This colossal budget for 2023 will be strategically deployed for a myriad of projects. These include the construction of 2,477 apartment units, 1,104 special houses, and 140,593 self-reliant houses. Additionally, it will facilitate the Liquidity Facility for Housing Financing (FLPP) for 200,000 houses.
Infrastructure development is also earmarked for crucial initiatives, such as a water supply system capable of delivering 1,226 liters per second, the construction of seven new dams and the continuation of 18 existing dams, new irrigation networks covering 3,455 ha, and the rehabilitation of irrigation networks spanning 74,569 ha.
Moreover, the budget will be instrumental in addressing critical aspects like wastewater management for 12,400 households, waste management for 19,800 households, and financial transfers to regions for the operation of 261,056 water supply systems, piped water networks with a capacity of 7,174 liters per second, and the installation of 166,254 water supply connections to households.
In summary, President Jokowi’s visionary outlook coupled with substantial investments in infrastructure underscore Indonesia’s unwavering commitment to achieving developed nation status. The path is set, and as the nation progresses, careful leadership and strategic resource allocation will play pivotal roles in shaping its future.
