By: Aldia Putra) *
The government continues to be committed to continuing the National Strategic Project amidst the Covid-19 Pandemic. The decision was also considered appropriate because the sustainability of PSN can encourage economic growth and the creation of new jobs.
The National Strategic Project is certainly worth questioning its progress, because after all, the development was built by taxes paid by the people. So it is fitting that the project be continued for the sake of economic improvement after later New Normal is implemented.
The criteria for this strategic project are projects that have a role in the economy, social welfare and have a positive impact on employment. The strategic project is also expected to provide environmental sustainability and in line with other aspects.
The assessment is of course a matter that must be obeyed, it aims to make the project which is a national strategic project truly useful for all people in Indonesia.
Certainly it will be something worthless when the sustainability of the national project is used to enrich individuals who want to depreciate their personal accounts.
One of the projects proposed as a national strategic project is the Obi Island Industrial Park. Because there is a smelter project that was started in 2016. This project is proposed to be the National Strategic Project (PSN) because there are many investors from Indonesia. The total investment value is 1 billion USD.
In addition, the strategic project that is expected to be continued is the toll road project that connects Kediri and Tulungagung. Tolls make travel closer and shorter. It is intended that the shipping expedition can run smoothly so that it has an impact on a stronger economy.
Meanwhile, Indonesian President Joko Widodo stressed that the implementation of a number of strategic agenda projects worth hundreds of trillions of rupiah should not be stopped even though Indonesia is being hit by a co-19 pandemic.
The former DKI Jakarta Governor said, even though we are currently facing a pandemic. Strategic agendas that are very important for our nation and country which are priorities for national interests must not stop and we must continue.
According to Jokowi, the strategic agenda is not only limited to the economic field, but also education, health and improving the quality of human resources.
The focus of the government in handling the co-19 pandemic is indeed needed, but this should not forget the strategic development targets for economic recovery.
However, he smelled the problem of land acquisition which was considered to hamper the implementation of PSN.
The former Surakarta Mayor requested that projects that have been set out in PSN be prioritized. Especially for projects that are considered to have a direct impact on economic recovery.
However, the implementation of PSN still faces various obstacles. Jokowi claimed to get information that one of the obstacles in implementing PSN was land acquisition.
One of the obstacles to land acquisition is experienced by PT Pelabuhan Indonesia II (Persero) or IPC. He said that the land acquisition process in the Jakarta area could not be carried out amid a corona pandemic.
In the midst of an epidemic situation, physical meetings are demanded to be very minimal, which results in the difficulty of freeing up land.
In a limited meeting opportunity, President Jokowi wanted to ensure that these priority programs continued but continued to follow all health protocols that had been called for.
President Jokowi has also proposed 245 new projects to be included in the national strategic project. From the proposal, his party has approved 89 projects.
The Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto said that of the 245 proposed projects that were accepted into the PSN as many as 89 projects, with a total value of Rp 1,422 trillion.
Airlangga said, 89 projects had passed, 56 of which were new proposed projects. Then 10 projects are expansion projects from before, 15 projects are grouped from new programs and 8 electricity projects.
The corona virus pandemic or covid-19 did indeed have a significant impact on the economy of the community. Economic recovery is a must so that people can return to their activities and collect rupiah coffers to support the family.
) * Active writer in the Press Circle and Cikini Students
