The Success Of The 2024 General Election Will Be Topang For The Awakening Of The MSME Sector

JAKARTA - The government must ensure that the implementation of the 2024 election must be fair, transparent, accountable and free from interventions that harm democracy. The success of organizing this five-year democratic party for the Indonesian people will determine the direction of Indonesia's economic development in the future as well as support the revival of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector, which is now suspended.

The founder and chairman of the Hardjuno Wiwoho Sharia Foundation (SHW) Center Hardjuno Wiwoho said that the election provides an opportunity for MSMEs to choose a candidate for leader who has an understanding and commitment to the interests of the MSME sector.

"Therefore, as small business actors, we hope that future national leaders must have partiality to the MSME sector. So, review the track records of prospective leaders, including the actions and policies they propose, whether to support the MSME sector. If you don't support MSMEs, don't support it," said Hardjuno Wiwoho in Jakarta, Wednesday, October 18.

In Indonesia, Hardjuno emphasized, MSMEs are the backbone of the national economy. The contribution is very large in creating jobs, increasing income, and supporting local economic growth.

He added that MSMEs have a very important stakeholder in determining the direction and policies of the economy. One of the most effective ways to influence policies that support MSMEs is to exercise the right to vote in elections to elect leaders who will represent the interests of MSMEs at the national level.

Hardjuno emphasized that elections are an important moment for citizens to participate in the democratic process and elect their leaders.

"For us, MSME business owners, the right selection of candidate leaders is a must, because the elected leader will of course determine the direction of his policy which will have an impact on the continuation of the business of MSME business owners," he explained.

He ensured that prospective competent leaders and pro-MSMEs would be more likely to take policy steps that support the growth and development of the MSME sector. This includes improvements in access to business capital, training, and technical support.

"One of the main challenges for MSMEs is access to financing. Leaders who are committed to trying to facilitate MSME access to affordable financing sources," he added.

Hardjuno admitted that MSMEs have a central role in the economy. This people's business sector contributes significantly to the formation of GDP, creates jobs, and supports local economic growth.

Data states that MSMEs are the largest job providers in many countries.

"This sector provides job opportunities for various levels of society, including low-education workers who may have difficulty getting jobs in the formal sector," he said.

In addition, MSMEs contribute to increasing people's income by providing opportunities for local entrepreneurs to develop their businesses.

"This increases people's purchasing power and supports economic growth," he said.

Furthermore, he said MSMEs also support economic independence. By owning and managing their own businesses, MSMEs help people to become more economically independent.

"They don't just depend on formal work or large companies," he said.