By: Saki Ananta )*
After the 2024 simultaneous regional elections, great hopes have emerged that new leadership in various regions can accelerate economic reform. This momentum is considered strategic for creating innovative policies, in accordance with local and global challenges. The newly elected leaders are expected to be able to bring about real change, especially in encouraging inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
The Chairperson of the Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo), Shinta Widjaja Kamdani, assessed the simultaneous regional elections as a strategic opportunity to strengthen regional economic competitiveness. According to her, new leaders need to focus on data-based policies that can support investment, infrastructure development, and empowerment of MSMEs.
With the steps taken to strengthen the competitiveness of the regional economy, inclusive growth can be realized, while opening up new jobs that have a direct impact on increasing people’s purchasing power. Progressive and inclusive leaders can create a conducive business ecosystem, thereby attracting investment and strengthening domestic consumption as the main driver of the economy.
The proposed strategic steps include developing leading sectors according to the potential of each region, improving infrastructure and connectivity, and reducing bureaucratic obstacles that have often hampered investment entry.
Close coordination with the central government is also needed to maintain economic stability, especially in controlling inflation and ensuring that basic necessities remain affordable. Shinta emphasized that even though great opportunities are in front of our eyes, regional leaders must still be ready to face various inevitable challenges.
Similar hopes were also conveyed by the Deputy Mayor of Pekalongan, Salahudin, who said that this Pilkada is an important moment to choose a leader who understands the needs of the community. According to him, a leader who has integrity, compassion for the people, and a deep understanding of his duties will be able to create wider prosperity.
Salahudin believes that with such a leader, people’s lives will be more peaceful, respectful, and full of tolerance. In addition, he highlighted the importance of appreciating the role of the mass media in maintaining harmony during the Pilkada process. Tolerance of differences in political choices is one of the keys to creating a harmonious and peaceful society, which in turn will strengthen the foundation of the economy.
In Jakarta, Acting Governor Teguh Setyabudi emphasized that the new leadership must focus on resolving the major challenges that have been looming over the capital. Problems such as traffic jams, flooding, and the need for decent housing are issues that require serious attention.
In addition, Jakarta’s prospective leaders must also be able to maintain regional economic growth so that people’s purchasing power is maintained. Teguh emphasized that sustainable policies are essential to ensure that these problems are not only resolved temporarily, but also have long-term impacts.
Teguh also underlined Jakarta’s role as a national barometer. The success of policies in the capital city will be an example for other regions, so the new leader must ensure close collaboration with all parties, including the central government and regional apparatus organizations (OPD).
Teguh hopes that the various efforts that have been made during his leadership can be a solid foundation for the new leader to continue the development of Jakarta. Teguh added that the development process requires consistency and cannot be completed in a short time.
In addition to focusing on solving structural challenges, new leaders are also expected to be able to harness local economic potential. With strengthening infrastructure, better connectivity, and empowering MSMEs, regions in Indonesia have a great opportunity to become new growth centers.
Courage in taking adaptive and data-based policies is key to facing global economic uncertainty. On the other hand, price stability of basic necessities must remain a priority, considering that this is directly related to the welfare of the community.
The high hopes expressed by the speakers reflect the belief that economic reform can be achieved if the new leader has a strong vision and the courage to act.
With the right policies, new jobs will be created, people’s purchasing power will increase, and domestic consumption as the main driver of economic growth can be strengthened. This step will also create a more conducive business environment, so that new investment can continue to flow.
The 2024 simultaneous regional elections have become real evidence of the maturity of Indonesian democracy. However, a healthy democracy is not enough to only produce elected leaders, but must also provide real results in the form of improving the quality of life of the community.
In this case, the role of competent leaders is very important to realize higher economic growth. Full support from the community, business actors, and the central government is needed so that economic reform is not just a discourse, but really has a positive impact.
Now, with new leadership in various regions, Indonesia has a great opportunity to accelerate economic reform. Through collaboration, sustainable policies, and the courage to face challenges, the hope of achieving higher economic growth is not just a dream. This step will not only strengthen regional competitiveness, but also become a solid foundation for a more advanced and prosperous Indonesia.
)* Contributor to Pertiwi Institute
