Jokowi Named Father of Indonesian Construction; Soeharto Father of Development

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo was awarded the title "Father of Indonesian Construction" by the Indonesian National Construction Association (Gapensi) at a recent event in Jakarta on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, celebrating ten years of his administration's focus on construction, infrastructure, and investment.

“Gapensi has awarded the President as the Father of Indonesian Construction,” said Gapensi Chairperson Andi Rukman Nurdin. To symbolize this honor, Andi personally presented a steel helmet to the President.

Andi expressed gratitude for Jokowi's consistent efforts in fulfilling his campaign promises related to development. “Thank you, Mr. President, for continuing to build Indonesia from Sabang to Merauke,” he said, acknowledging the impressive infrastructure development under Jokowi's leadership. 

Gapensi also proposed designating January 8, the association's founding date, as the National Construction Day.

In his speech, Jokowi highlighted the administration's focus on infrastructure development since its inception. “I'm sure this is also a big contribution from Gapensi, both central and regional,” he said, recognizing Gapensi's role in the nation's progress. 

Jokowi also encouraged the association to prioritize aesthetics, beauty, landscape, and environmental considerations in future projects.

Soeharto: The 'Father of Development'

Back in 1983, Indonesian Second President Soeharto was bestowed the title "Father of Indonesian Development" by the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), along with his reappointment as the president for the third time.

This followed a campaign by various figures and organizations to recognize his contributions to nation-building through the Five-Year Development Plans (Pelitas), which focused on building schools, hospitals, and other infrastructure.

However, Soeharto's authoritarian regime led to the 1998 Reform movement, resulting in his resignation and the end of the 32-year New Order era.

Megawati's Critique

Megawati Soekarnoputri, Chairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, has criticized the title "Father of Development" bestowed upon Soeharto. 

During the National Conference of the Perindo Party in Jakarta on Tuesday, July 30, she argued that Soeharto prioritized infrastructure over human development, stating, “What is the development? Because for us, the most important development is the mental development of the nation, not the physical.”

Megawati also accused Soeharto of marginalizing the legacy of Indonesia's first president, Soekarno, through a process she termed "de-Soekarnoization."

She further shared personal experiences of difficulty accessing Soekarnoist education and considered herself and her generation victims of Soeharto's policies. Therefore, she urged the younger generation to uphold Soekarno's values and Pancasila as the foundation for Indonesia's human resources.

ANTARA | SAVERO ARISTIA WIENANTO

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