By: Andhika Rachman
The first year of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka’s leadership has brought a fresh spirit to national development. The high public expectations are being answered with concrete steps, especially in the infrastructure sector. The government shows a strong commitment to building Indonesia more comprehensively—not only through large-scale projects but also by laying development foundations that directly address the people’s needs.
A more strategic, equitable, and sustainable approach has begun to shape the direction of national infrastructure development. The focus is no longer merely on physical achievements but also on the long-term impacts on welfare, regional connectivity, and national competitiveness. This represents one of the most strategic shifts in modern Indonesian history. Infrastructure, after all, is not just about building but about creating change that reaches grassroots levels.
This change in approach is clearly reflected in the prioritization of budget allocation and the planning of strategic projects. In the 2025 State Budget Draft (RAPBN), the government allocates approximately IDR 400.3 trillion for the infrastructure sector. Although this amount is slightly lower than the previous year, the reduction does not mean weakening development. Instead, it reflects efforts to strengthen fiscal efficiency and improve the quality of infrastructure spending, ensuring every rupiah spent yields real benefits for the people.
Infrastructure development now extends beyond toll roads or monumental buildings. It is directed toward more fundamental sectors such as agriculture, food security, education, public transportation, and natural resource management. This approach demonstrates the government’s understanding of the importance of building from the bottom—addressing basic needs to achieve more inclusive and equitable growth.
One priority project reflecting this strategic direction is the acceleration of road and toll road access to Patimban Port in Subang, West Java. The central government, along with the Ministry of Transportation and local governments, is strengthening cross-sector synergy to expedite connectivity development to this port, which is expected to become one of Indonesia’s largest international logistics hubs.
West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi stated that accelerating access to Patimban Port is not merely an infrastructure project but a major initiative that will boost industrial growth, expand trade, and open new job opportunities in western Indonesia. With smooth logistics distribution, lower transportation costs, and easier export-import processes, the project’s benefits will reach down to household levels.
Moreover, projects like Patimban demonstrate that infrastructure development is now evaluated not just by investment size but by how deeply it affects the economic and social structures of surrounding communities.
Development policies also increasingly incorporate environmental sustainability principles. One example is the planned construction of a Waste-to-Electricity Processing Installation (PSEL) in Tangerang Regency. Scheduled to begin construction in 2026, this project is a concrete step by the local government to address waste management challenges alongside the energy crisis.
Tangerang Regent Maesyal Rasyid emphasized the importance of supporting infrastructure readiness, including access roads, drainage systems, and the provision of five hectares of land at the Jatiwaringin Final Disposal Site (TPA). This project will not only reduce the volume of waste entering the TPA but also generate electricity as a renewable resource. It is a tangible example of how infrastructure development can support the national agenda to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in clean energy and environmental protection.
The government has also demonstrated seriousness in strengthening basic infrastructure, which previously received less attention. The Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) prioritizes developing irrigation systems, village roads, public schools, and clean water access. These programs align with the government’s ambition to achieve food self-sufficiency and reduce import dependency.
More modern and efficient irrigation systems will strengthen agriculture, increase farmers’ productivity, and stabilize domestic food prices. Thus, infrastructure development is no longer exclusive but truly touches the basic needs of grassroots communities.
In addition to physical development, Prabowo-Gibran also focuses on institutional reforms and regulatory simplification in infrastructure project governance. The Ministry of PUPR, for instance, strengthens bureaucratic capacity to ensure adaptive, transparent, and efficient project management. This approach emphasizes good project management, community involvement, and awareness of social and environmental impacts.
This step is crucial so that development is not only physically fast but also of high quality and sustainable in the long term. A good project is one that is not just completed but also beneficial, safe, and accepted by the community.
The first year of Prabowo-Gibran’s administration marks a new direction in national infrastructure development—more inclusive, more equitable, and more strategic. Large projects continue, supported by the development of basic infrastructure that touches people’s daily lives.
Initiatives like accelerating access to Patimban Port and building the PSEL in Tangerang show that infrastructure is not just a technical project but an important instrument for social, economic, and ecological transformation. This approach reflects a development vision that pursues not only physical progress but also human progress.
If consistency and cross-sector collaboration are maintained, the next five years could become a significant milestone in Indonesia’s development history. Because ultimately, true infrastructure is not just about building roads and bridges but about opening the way for a more just, balanced, and sustainable future for all Indonesians.
*) Public Policy Analyst