By: Joanna Alexandra Putri )*
Economic equality throughout the country is one of the government’s main focuses in creating a more just and equitable Indonesia. With enormous potential from Sabang to Merauke, economic equality is not only an ideal, but also an urgent need to ensure that no region is left behind.
The government realizes that economic inequality between regions can be a major obstacle to national development. Therefore, strengthening the regional economy is now the main strategy to encourage inclusive growth.
Villages, as residential areas in Indonesia, are expected to transform into sustainable economic drivers. However, to realize this, multi-party collaboration between the community, universities, the private sector, and the government is the key to success.
Not only that, the government is also intensifying various community empowerment programs through skills training, capacity building, and digitalization of village services. On the other hand, universities also play a strategic role by encouraging research and innovation to create a development model that is in accordance with the characteristics of each region.
Meanwhile, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are also not overlooked. Through capital support, training, and mentoring, this sector is expected to become the backbone of the people’s economy. With collaborative steps involving all parties, the government is optimistic that it can narrow the gap in economic inequality and create a more prosperous Indonesia, from villages to cities, from the west to the east. This is the time for all elements of the nation to unite to realize an inclusive and equitable economy.
Deputy for Coordination of Village Community Empowerment, Disadvantaged Regions, and Certain Regions of the Coordinating Ministry for Community Empowerment, Abdul Haris, emphasized that more than half of the economically disadvantaged population in Indonesia live in villages. This fact is an urgent call to ensure that villages are no longer disadvantaged areas, but instead become the driving force of national development.
Abdul Haris conveyed the importance of education, skills training, and innovation to empower rural communities. A holistic approach, including digitalization of village services and increasing community capacity, is an important recommendation to support this transformation
On the other hand, universities such as the Riau Islands Raja Ali Haji Maritime University (UMRAH) have a strategic role in supporting this vision. UMRAH Rector, Professor Agung Dhamar Syakti, emphasized the importance of research and innovation as part of the contribution of higher education in empowering villages.
The concept of fostered villages developed by UMRAH integrates social, economic, and environmental aspects to create a sustainable development model. This reflects that higher education is not just a place to study, but also an agent of change that can produce real impacts for society.
Meanwhile, in Bali, efforts to equalize the economy are also a major concern for the local government. With the vision of economic transformation designed in the 2018 Regional Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMD), the Bali government is trying to build new economic centers outside the southern region. Infrastructure such as the port in Nusa Penida and the shortcut to Singaraja are expected to encourage economic growth in the northern region of Bali.
The Head of the Bali Provincial Bappeda, I Wayan Wiasthana Ika Putra, acknowledged that infrastructure development in Bali has not been fully optimal in supporting economic equality. However, efforts continue to be made to reduce the gap between the southern and northern regions.
Deputy Minister of MSMEs, Helvi Moraza, said that the government is also targeting strengthening the people’s economy through empowering micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The government also plans to create 10 of the best entrepreneurial talents who will “move up a class” in the near future.
This effort aims to accelerate the economic transformation towards Indonesia Emas 2045. Training, access to capital, and the involvement of institutions such as PT Permodalan Nasional Madani (PNM) are expected to provide significant encouragement for MSMEs to develop and compete in the national and international markets.
PNM’s President Director, Arief Mulyadi, emphasized that strengthening the people’s economy is the key to creating equitable prosperity. Continuous support from the government and various strategic programs are the foundation for ensuring that MSMEs are able to make a major contribution to economic development.
During a visit to Medan, Helvi also reviewed various superior products that have great potential to dominate the international market. This shows that the government is not only providing direction, but also directly supporting the ecosystemtem stronger and more competitive MSMEs.
The government’s efforts to encourage economic equality through strengthening the regional economy are a very important step to create a more prosperous and equitable Indonesia. It is undeniable that villages and previously marginalized areas have extraordinary potential that has not been fully explored.
With the attention and collaboration of multiple parties, an even economic transformation throughout Indonesia is no longer a dream, but a reality that can be achieved. Of course, this is not an easy task. It takes a joint commitment, from the government, society, universities, to the private sector, to create an ecosystem that supports sustainable economic growth.
The government has paved the way, but it is the community and related sectors that must walk together on it. Now, it is time for all of us to participate in realizing change, so that economic equality is not just a jargon, but a reality that can be enjoyed by all levels of society, from remote villages to big cities in Indonesia. Together, we can create a more just, prosperous, and inclusive Indonesia.
)* The author is a contributor to the Jeka Media Institute
