By: Ricky Rinaldi)*
The government demonstrated a strong commitment to addressing the public aspirations expressed by the 17+8 movement. The people’s demands for social justice, equitable development, and improved welfare were met with concrete measures, including the creation of a large number of new jobs. This policy was designed to address public concerns about limited employment opportunities and was part of the government’s strategy to promote more inclusive economic growth.
The public’s initial focus was on the newly appointed Minister of Finance, Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, inaugurated in early September. In his statement, he emphasized that Indonesia has the potential for economic growth of between six and eight percent per year if fiscal policy is implemented appropriately. He emphasized that this figure is not merely an ambition, but a realistic target that can be achieved through a combination of effective budget management strategies, increased productive investment, and sustainable development programs. High economic growth, he argued, will automatically result in the creation of millions of new jobs and increased public incomes.
He emphasized the importance of efficiency in the use of the state budget. He argued that every rupiah spent should have a dual benefit: driving economic growth while expanding employment opportunities. Therefore, he encouraged the acceleration of industrial downstreaming in leading sectors such as mining, energy, agriculture, and maritime affairs. Downstreaming is considered capable of generating added value for domestic products, thus not only increasing exports but also creating thousands of derivative industries ready to absorb the local workforce. Thus, the people are not merely spectators but also key actors in the development process.
In addition to downstreaming, he also emphasized the importance of maintaining a stable investment climate. Legal certainty, infrastructure development, and business-friendly regulations are seen as key to attracting both foreign and domestic capital. He is optimistic that every new investment will directly translate into new jobs. Within this framework, he emphasized that public welfare must be the ultimate goal of every government fiscal policy. With consistent and well-managed economic growth, the dream of meeting people’s aspirations by increasing employment is not impossible.
In line with this view, Minister of Manpower Yassierli emphasized that the government prioritizes the creation and protection of the workforce. He explained that the world of work currently faces significant challenges in the form of digital disruption, changing industrial patterns, and increasingly fierce global competition. Therefore, Indonesia cannot rely solely on old, routine practices. He believes that breakthroughs are needed, which he calls “next practices,” or new practices that are innovative, adaptive, and technology-based, while remaining grounded in national identity. With this approach, the Indonesian workforce will not only be able to adapt but also become pioneers in facing the changing times.
In his statement, he emphasized that every national program launched by the government is always aimed at expanding employment opportunities. One flagship program that has received widespread attention is the Merah Putih Village Cooperative. This program aims to establish 80,000 modern cooperative units spread across Indonesia. These cooperatives function not only as savings and loan institutions but are also designed to become centers of local economic growth. The cooperative’s scope of work includes food distribution, logistics services, and the development of digital platforms to support village e-commerce. With this scheme, the program is projected to absorb more than one million new workers in the next few years.
This cooperative program has received a positive response from the community, especially in rural areas. Residents see an opportunity to increase their income without having to leave their hometowns. Village cooperatives foster local entrepreneurs, strengthen the competitiveness of artisanal products, and serve as a platform for sustainable economic learning. Thus, jobs are created not only in the formal sector but also in the informal sector and small and medium enterprises.
Furthermore, he emphasized the importance of close collaboration between the central government, regional governments, and the business community. Investment-friendly regulations are needed to ensure companies can grow faster while workers’ rights remain protected. He believes that job creation should not be solely focused on quantity, but also on quality. With adequate social protection, targeted vocational training, and work standards that are up-to-date, the Indonesian workforce will be better prepared to compete, both domestically and globally.
The steps taken by these two ministries demonstrate the government’s seriousness in responding to the people’s aspirations. The recent rise in the 17+8 movement is not perceived as pressure, but as a reflection of the people’s real needs. The government is not limited to rhetoric, but rather is moving forward with concrete and measurable policies. Purbaya focuses on overseeing fiscal strategies to maintain economic growth while opening up investment opportunities, while Yassierli is strengthening the workforce through job creation innovations and village cooperative programs.
This combination of policies is expected to maintain political stability while fostering public trust in the government. Responding to the people’s aspirations is realized through job creation, strengthening the real sector, industrial downstreaming, and innovation in labor governance. Through demonstrated concrete action, the government aims to ensure that the people directly experience the results of development, not just hear promises.
Looking ahead, with synergy between ministries and broader public support, the government is optimistic that Indonesia can enter a new era of development that is more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable. The public aspirations of 17+8 have become a crucial momentum to demonstrate that the state is present, listening, and working for its people. With the concrete steps taken today, Indonesia is believed to be able to move more confidently towards a hopeful future.
)* Strategic Issues Observer
