Commemoration Of The 78th Anniversary Of The Republic Of Indonesia, Minister Basuki: Development Of Foundation Infrastructure Towards Advanced Indonesia

JAKARTA - In commemoration of the 78th Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia, the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) has held a ceremony to commemorate the 78th Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia at Sapta Taruna Field, Ministry of PUPR, on Wednesday, August 17.

The ceremony was attended by Middle and Primary High Officials in the Ministry of PUPR, as well as representatives of PUPR personnel from each organizational unit.

PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono said that in accordance with the theme Commemoration of the 78th Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia 'Continues to Advance for Advanced Indonesia', the Ministry of PUPR has started the foundation to achieve these goals through the development of various connectivity infrastructure, food security, and residential infrastructure which ultimately increases the nation's competitiveness.

Based on the Institute for Management Development report, Indonesia's competitiveness in 2022 will rise from ranking 44 to 34, and is the highest increase in the world. Therefore, the Ministry of PUPR has received a lot of appreciation for the various basic infrastructure development results that have been achieved.

"For example, 1,809 kilometers (km) of toll roads have been operating since 2015-2022 and until the end of 2023 the additional target of 440 km of operation toll roads, of which 233 km have been achieved until August 2023. The construction achievement of 36 dams has been completed since 2015-2022," said Minister Basuki in his official statement, quoted Friday, August 18.

"Meanwhile, in 2023 10 dams will be inaugurated, in 2024 15 dams will be inaugurated, more than 1 million houses have been built every year, drinking water, sanitation, waste, and KOTAKU," he added.

In 2023, the Ministry of PUPR will also receive the task of preparing infrastructure supporting the Indonesian Presidency at the ASEAN Summit international event, renovating sports facilities and infrastructure to support the implementation of the U-17 World Cup, Regional Road Presidential Instruction, as well as post-disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction.

In the 2024 Financial Note and RAPBN, the Ministry of PUPR also received the mandate to complete infrastructure development tasks with a budget allocation of Rp. 146.98 trillion, not including for Regional Road Inpres Rp. 15 trillion and Papua's New Autonomous Region (DOB) support of Rp. 11 trillion.

"I ask that we continue to be able to maintain this mandate as well as possible, with solid programming and prudent budget implementation governance. I reiterate that there is no new development except on the orders and directives of the president, as well as the importance of the OPOR program (Operation, Maintenance, Optimization and Rehabilitation) to ensure that any infrastructure that we have built can provide benefits to the people," said Basuki.

Basuki also reminded again about the implementation of development in the Central Core Area of the Central Government of the basic infrastructure for the Capital City of the Archipelago (IKN) in 2023 and 2024 to pay attention to three things, namely maintained quality, spending efficiency and aesthetics are prioritized, and with the speed of infrastructure development to meet the target time.

"I ask that we can focus on completing this noble task with integrated planning, implementation and strict supervision, thereby producing quality infrastructure and buildings, as well as maintaining harmony with the environment and nature," he concluded.