TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo or Jokowi revealed his reasons for boosting infrastructure projects, especially the prioritized State Capital Nusantara or IKN, in his second term of administration.

He stressed that this was aimed at improving the efficiency of logistics costs, increasing the country's competitiveness, and creating new economic growth points and socio-cultural connectivity.

The statement was made during a meeting with infrastructure activists at an event commemorating the 78th Public Worker Service Day at the State Palace, Jakarta, on Monday, December 4, 2023. Since 2015, the government's infrastructure budget has nearly doubled. However, the President stopped short of mentioning the details.

“Infrastructure is essential in a big country like Indonesia with 17,000 islands. Connectivity – roads, ports, airports are all needed,” he remarked.

IKN, Jokowi’s flagship project, has been criticized by some parties, including economists and a presidential candidate from the Coalition for Change, Anies Baswedan. However, the government insisted on proceeding with the project since the law was passed.

Law No. 3/2022 concerning the National Capital was just amended to Law No. 21/2023 on October 31, 2023. Article 24 (3) of the Law stipulates that the IKN project and the relocation process are the national priority program for at least 10 years, which has been effective since the law's enactment.

Jokowi also highlighted that the ongoing massive infrastructure projects have been fruitful, as evidenced by the Global Competitiveness Index ranking. “In 2014, we were lagging in terms of infrastructure in the Global Competitive Index. We were ranked 54th, and now we are at 51. This means that [our ranking] has improved], although it has made a significant jump,” he said.

DANIEL A. FAJRI

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