By: Juana Syahril)*
Synchronized development is a crucial foundation for achieving economic equality in Indonesia. Undirected and unaligned infrastructure development across regions has the potential to widen disparities. Therefore, the Ministry of Public Works (PU) initiated the development program development through the Regional Infrastructure Development Integrated Coordination Meeting (Rakorbangwil), a large-scale forum that brings together ministries, institutions, and regional governments to align the direction of national development.
This initiative emphasizes that development synchronization is not merely a coordinating process, but a strategic step to ensure development truly impacts equitable access, opportunity, and prosperity. Deputy Minister of Public Works, Diana Kusumastuti, emphasized the importance of a development direction that strengthens food, energy, and water security, while simultaneously creating jobs and strengthening regional competitiveness. Her vision envisions infrastructure development as the primary driver of equity.
The water resources sector is a key sector requiring strong synchronization across regions. Increasing national water storage capacity is aimed at strengthening water security, ensuring raw water availability, and supporting domestic and industrial needs. The installed raw water capacity ratio is also being increased as an effort to expand public access to safe and affordable water sources.
In the food context, the government is targeting an increase in the percentage of irrigated rice fields, while ensuring optimal irrigation services supported by reservoirs. This effort will strengthen agricultural productivity and ensure more equitable water distribution. The efficiency of irrigation water use will also be improved to support more environmentally friendly agricultural modernization. Furthermore, protecting priority areas from the damaging effects of water and improving the reliability of irrigation areas are essential components of a comprehensive strategy to reduce risks and increase the equity of development outcomes.
In the Road and Bridge sector, development synchronization is aimed at improving interregional connectivity and reducing national logistics costs. The target of reducing travel times on key national road networks is a strategic step to accelerate goods distribution, shorten supply chains, and stimulate economic activity.
More efficient travel times have a direct impact on businesses and communities, especially in areas that have historically faced limited access. With proper coordination between the central and regional governments, road and bridge construction can be carried out equitably, connecting production areas with markets, and opening up new economic opportunities in remote areas. Synchronized and targeted improvements in connectivity are a crucial pillar for continuing inclusive economic equality.
Equitable access to basic services is a key focus of the Human Settlements sector. The government is targeting an increase in the percentage of households with access to safe drinking water and proper sanitation, as well as an increase in the percentage of waste processed through official facilities. These efforts not only safeguard public health but also enhance comfort and economic productivity.
Synchronized development in this sector is evident in the implementation of building reliability standards in hundreds of districts/cities, ensuring that the quality of public buildings and residential areas meets safety standards. With equitable development, people across all regions, from large cities to remote areas, can enjoy equal access to basic services. Coordinated human development significantly impacts quality of life, environmental carrying capacity, and regional economic competitiveness.
The Strategic Infrastructure sector is a crucial component in creating an inclusive development ecosystem. Improving the quality of educational facilities and infrastructure is a priority, as education is the primary foundation for long-term economic development. Similarly, the development of economic, religious, health, sports, and socio-cultural facilities is being significantly enhanced to ensure equality of public services across regions.
Synchronization in this sector will strengthen regional capacity to improve community welfare and create an environment conducive to sustainable economic growth. To ensure infrastructure development is aligned with equitable distribution, the Ministry of Public Works has prepared three main synchronization strategies. First, development programs must align with Asta Cita (the national priorities emphasizing economic equality, basic services, and regional strengthening). Programs are developed based on the potential of each region so that the results can be felt concretely.
Second, the government continues equitable infrastructure development through support for irrigation networks, regional road and bridge maintenance, the development of national food, energy, and water areas, the revitalization of Islamic schools (madrasah), the construction of public schools, and support for nutrition programs such as Free Nutritious Meals. All programs are aimed at strengthening access to public services in various regions.
Third, the government emphasized the need to increase synergy and collaboration across ministries, institutions, and regional governments to ensure development is not carried out in isolation. Synchronization is key to ensuring that each development project delivers a significant and equitable economic impact.
Development synchronization is strengthened through cross-agency support. Muhammad Rachmat Kaimuddin, Deputy for Basic Infrastructure Coordination at the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture, emphasized his commitment to overseeing the harmonization of infrastructure programs to ensure targeted development and a direct impact on regional economic growth.
Meanwhile, the Head of the Regional Development Planning Agency (BPIW), Bob Arthur Lombogia, stated that the Regional Coordination Meeting (Rakorbangwil) is the initial stage in aligning programs with national regulatory mandates. Determining priority areas such as food, energy, water, leading commodities, growth, affirmation, conservation, and disaster-prone areas is part of the effort to ensure that development addresses regional characteristics in a balanced manner.
With strong synchronization, infrastructure development can proceed in a targeted, efficient manner, and provide equitable benefits. Cross-sector collaboration, sharpening regional priorities, and strengthening basic services are essential foundations for achieving sustainable economic equality in Indonesia.
)* The author is a Bogor student living in Jakarta