Jokowi Responds to Anies Baswedan's Criticism on Strategic Projects

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo or Jokowi responded to criticism voiced by politician Anies Baswedan who said that the National Strategic Projects (PSN) have the potential to be misused for the interest of certain parties if they are not well managed.

“Just name which project and which party,” the President said after attending the Istana Berbatik fashion show at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Sunday evening, October 1, 2023.

At an event held by Masyumi and broadcast on its YouTube channel, MASYUMITV, on Saturday, September 30, Anies stressed that the PSN must be in line with the Long and Medium-Term Development Plans.

The presidential contender for the 2024 election said that the PSN is initially a good program. However, it must be made transparent by involving the public.

The former Jakarta governor also opined that if the PSN is not managed properly, then it will only benefit certain parties. “The community will then suffer the consequences,” Anies added.

Since the onset of his term, Jokowi introduced his development strategy dubbed the National Strategic Projects or PSN which aims to boost economic growth and achieve equitable development, community welfare, and regional development.

Projects included in the PSN list will gain several advantages in the form of accelerated development. Ministers, governors, and regents accelerate the projects through regulations, licenses, land provisions, and guarantees of political security.

Jokowi’s government increased the number of strategic projects each year. The most recent one, which is presently in the public spotlight for causing riots and conflict, is the Rempang Eco-City project on Rempang Island, Batam.

DANIEL A. FAJRI

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