Infrastructure Development in the Era of President Jokowi Spurred Economic Stability amidst Global Pressure
Over the past decade, President Joko Widodo’s government has left a huge legacy in the infrastructure sector. Since taking office in 2014, President Jokowi has focused on infrastructure development as the main foundation for encouraging economic growth and improving people’s welfare. This massive infrastructure development not only creates jobs, but also increases connectivity and accessibility throughout Indonesia, including remote areas.
Professor at the Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Indonesia (FEB UI), Telisa Aulia Falianty, appreciated the role of infrastructure in economic development. According to him, infrastructure has a very large multiplier effect, especially because national strategic projects (PSN) absorb a lot of labor. In addition, the government encourages the use of domestic products in infrastructure development, such as the cement industry and transportation, which supports domestic economic growth.
Telisa also emphasized that infrastructure does not only include physical development, but also technological development, such as the acceleration of the internet network from 4G to 5G in the era of President Jokowi. “With this progress, communication and community productivity are increasing, and the digital economy is developing rapidly, helping national economic growth,” he explained.
Furthermore, Telisa stated that President Jokowi deserved the title “Father of Indonesian Infrastructure” because he left an extraordinary legacy. Even amidst global economic pressures and the COVID-19 pandemic, Indonesia’s economy continues to grow by around 5 percent, largely thanks to infrastructure that supports economic stability and rapid recovery.
Secretary of the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, Susiwijono Moegiarso, also expressed his appreciation for infrastructure development in the era of President Jokowi, especially related to connectivity and mobility, such as airports, ports, railway lines, as well as food sovereignty projects with the construction of dams and irrigation. He highlighted the huge impact of the PSN and Special Economic Zone (KEK) projects which have created 122 thousand new jobs and supported economic equality outside Java.
Apart from that, Susiwijono emphasized that the infrastructure built in the last 10 years will continue. The government still allocates a large budget to continue infrastructure projects, with a focus on basic community services such as education, health, food security and energy. “The government is confident that continuing infrastructure development in the future will encourage stable economic growth above 5 percent,” he explained.
With the sustainability of this infrastructure project, it is hoped that Indonesia will continue to move towards inclusive and equitable economic growth throughout the region. President Jokowi’s success in advancing infrastructure has provided a strong foundation for the future development of Indonesia.
