ISLES OF PLENTY
Joko Widodo, President of Indonesia, on the country's many achievements since its independence, the importance of supporting the younger generation, and his goals for the country.
BIOGRAPHY
Joko Widodo was elected President of Indonesia in 2014. He earlier served as governor of Jakarta from 2012-2014. He graduated from Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta with a degree in forestry engineering. In 2005, as a member of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, he was elected Mayor of Surakarta, and he was subsequently reelected in 2010 with over 90% of the vote.I have always reiterated that we are a big nation. Indonesia is big not only because of its population of more than 250 million people, around 17,000 islands, or its abundant resources. We achieved our grandeur because our nation has stood the test of time and because we have been able to remain united until the 72nd anniversary of our independence. While other countries are plagued by violent conflicts among ethnicities, with divisions among religions, and disputes among groups, we are grateful that we remain united within the framework of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia with its Bhinneka Tunggal Ika motto. We have even become a role model for many countries in terms of managing diversity and building unity.
We have to believe in the strength of our own people. Evidence proved that we have been able to make great achievements. In the past, we were worried about the presence of foreign banks in our country. Now we are witnessing that our national banks are able to compete with those banks and have become major and modern banks. We have huge potential, namely our young generations. Many of our young generations have become math, physics, and biology Olympic champions. Our young generations have showcased their accomplishments, such as becoming champions of the Qur'an memorization competition, emerging triumphant in robotic works, making innovation in start-ups businesses, and being creative in arts in world stages. Many creative industries and national movie productions are driven by our young generation. These young people are getting more popular, and their products are enjoyed by many.
However, we must not develop a dangerously complacent attitude or be carried away by all these achievements. We still have much to accomplish; we still have promises to deliver. We have to admit that it would be impossible for Indonesia to become an advanced nation if the homes of our people all over the country do not enjoy electricity. It would be impossible for us to become a competitive nation if our logistics costs are high. It would be impossible for us to become a global maritime fulcrum if we do not have seaports where large vessels that transport our products are berthed. It would be impossible for us to become a sovereign state in food commodities if the number of dams and irrigation channels that irrigate our agricultural fields all over the country are limited.
We are also facing challenges to free ourselves from the trap that shackles natural resources. After the era of oil and natural gas booming in 1970s was over and after the collapse of wood booming in 1900s, the era of mineral booming also came to an end. Even prices of several other commodities sharply fell. Therefore, we have to make a change.
In the past three years, the government has been focused on alleviating poverty, reducing gaps, and lowering unemployment rate. As a result, poverty level in Indonesia dropped from 28.59 million people in March 2015 to 27.77 million in March 2017. Our Gini coefficient continues to improve and reached 0.393 in March 2017, as opposed to 0.414 in September 2014. Our inflation had also been kept in check at 2.6% from January to July 2017. We also continue to maintain just and equitable economic growth. We have to ensure that our economic growth, which is 5% every year on average from 2014-2016, is not only enjoyed by certain people but by all Indonesians. Therefore, the development that we are undertaking is not only for those in big cities but for all Indonesians in villages, marginal areas, outermost islands, and border areas.
We want all Indonesians to be able to feel the benefits of development evenly. We want farmers, fishermen, laborers, clerics, traditional market traders, religious figures, civil servants, members of the Indonesian National Defence Forces (TNI), members of the Indonesian National Police (POLRI), journalists, cultural activists, university students, and many others to join hands to move forward, make progress, and bring prosperity.
ISLES OF PLENTY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Interview
Dr. Bambang Brodjonegoro, Minister , National Development Planning (Bappenas)
TBY talks to Dr. Bambang Brodjonegoro, Minister of National Development Planning (Bappenas), on acquiring financing for infrastructure projects and boosting private sector involvement in the country.
read articleInterview
Thomas Trikasih Lembong, Chairman, Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM)
Thomas Trikasih Lembong is the Chairman of BKPM. He was a former Minister of Trade of Indonesia from 2015-2016. Prior his appointment in the cabinet, he had a long professional career. He was a Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer, Managing Partner, and Partner at Quvat Management Pte Ltd and also served as President Commissioner at PT Graha Layar Prima Tbk (BlitzMegaplex) since 2012. He was previously employed with Principia Management Group and the Equity Division of Morgan Stanley (Singapore) Pte. Ltd, among others. He received a bachelor's degree in architecture and urban design from Harvard. He also was elected Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2008.
read articleGuest Speaker
Tevita Lavemaau, Former Minister of Finance and National Planning , Tonga
TBY talks to Tevita Lavemaau, Former Minister of Finance and National Planning of Tonga, on the effect of climate change on the country, its work to combat inequality, and further areas of cooperation with Indonesia.
read articleInterview
Dr. Tito Sulistio, President Director, Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX)
TBY talks to Dr. Tito Sulistio, President Director of Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX), on the strong performance of the capital markets, its goals to increase the number of listed companies, and the growing importance of digital innovation.
read articleInterview
Amien Sunaryadi, Chairman, Special Task Force for Upstream Oil and Gas Business Activities (SKK Migas)
TBY talks to Amien Sunaryadi, Chairman of Special Task Force for Upstream Oil and Gas Business Activities (SKK Migas), on preparing new block offerings, attracting greater investment into the sector, and pushing for exploration.
read articleInterview
Ronald Walla, President Director, PT Wismilak Inti Makmur
TBY talks to Ronald Walla, President Director of PT Wismilak Inti Makmur, on offering the public a more relevant value proposition, strengthening the ideology of Indonesia's founding fathers, and forging bigger profit margins.
read articleInterview
Teddy Tjokrosaputro, President Director, PT Rimo International Lestari (RIMO)
TBY talks to Teddy Tjokrosaputro, President Director of PT Rimo International Lestari (RIMO), on stepping back forcefully from the brink, using affordable housing as a springboard, and laying the groundwork for the country's future.
read articleReview
In the House
As strong economic growth, an optimistic political outlook, and a partially successful tax amnesty to repatriate offshore wealth continue to drive up housing prices in Indonesia's major urban centers, demand for new housing and shares in developers plummeted in 2017.
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